launch
gb/lˈɔnt͡ʃ/ us/lˈɔnt͡ʃ/
B1
English
~ 1500
Senses
0 senses
Verb
B1
action
1
Start an activity or project
To start a new activity, project, or plan.
Usage pattern:
to launch [a project]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'launch' with 'lunch' due to similar pronunciation.
Synonyms
start (More general and less formal than 'launch'.)
|
initiate (More formal and technical than 'launch'.)
Antonyms
end (Marks the conclusion of an activity rather than its beginning.)
|
cancel (Stops an activity before or instead of starting it.)
Collocations
launch a product
|launch a campaign
|launch a project
|launch a service
|launch an initiative
Themes
business
|daily life
|technology
|work
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The company will launch a new smartphone next month.
- They launched a campaign to raise awareness about climate change.
- Our team plans to launch the website by June.
- She launched her career as a writer in her twenties.
Learner examples
- We will launch a new shop next week.
- The group will launch a big project.
- They want to launch a new game.
- He will launch his own business soon.
Verb
B1
action
2
Send into air or space
To send something like a rocket, ship, or boat into the air, space, or water.
Usage pattern:
to launch [a rocket]
Synonyms
send off (Informal and general; can apply to people or objects.)
|
propel (Focuses on the forceful movement but less common in everyday speech.)
Antonyms
land (The act of bringing something down to the ground or water after flight or travel.)
Collocations
launch a rocket
|launch a satellite
|launch a spaceship
|launch a boat
Themes
science
|technology
|transport
|transportation
Examples
- NASA will launch the new satellite tomorrow.
- They launched the boat from the harbor.
- The military launched several missiles during the test.
- The company plans to launch its spacecraft next year.
Learner examples
- They will launch the rocket tomorrow.
- We watched them launch the boat.
- The group will launch the satellite next month.
- He wants to launch the ship today.
Noun
B1
event
3
First release or send-off event
A special event when something starts for the first time.
Synonyms
debut (Often used for people, performances, or artistic works.)
|
opening (Can refer to the start of an event or place, but broader in meaning.)
Antonyms
closure (Refers to ending an operation or event.)
Collocations
product launch
|book launch
|official launch
Themes
business
|technology
|entertainment
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The product launch attracted media from around the world.
- She attended the book launch at the local library.
- The official launch of the app was yesterday.
- We are preparing for the launch of our new service.
Learner examples
- The car launch was on Monday.
- We went to the book launch.
- The app launch is next week.
- He is working on the product launch.
Grammar
Dictionary form
launch
IPA
GB/lˈɔnt͡ʃ/
US/lˈɔnt͡ʃ/
Syllables & stress
launch (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (launch)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: launch
- Plural: launches
Verb
- Base: launch
- 3rd Person Singular: launches
- Present Participle: launching
- Past: launched
Word family
Forms
launches
noun
launching
verb
launched
verb
Related words
launcher
noun
relaunch
verb
Advanced or less common
launchpad
noun
Expressions
launch into
1/lˈɔnt͡ʃ ˈɪntu/
phrasal verb
Start suddenly with energy
To suddenly start talking about something or doing something with strong energy or emotion.
Examples
- He launched into a long speech about politics.
- She launched into explaining the plan before anyone could ask questions.
launch party
1/lˈɔnt͡ʃ pˈɑɹti/
fixed phrase
Celebration for a new start
A party to celebrate the beginning of something like a product, book, or service.
Examples
- They organized a big launch party for their new album.
- The company hosted a launch party for its latest gadget.
soft launch
1/sˈɔft lˈɔnt͡ʃ/
fixed phrase
technical
Limited early product release
When a product is released to only some people before it is released everywhere.
Examples
- The app had a soft launch in Canada before going global.
- They used the soft launch to fix bugs before the big release.