commence

Reading level: medium

Estimated CEFR level: B1 — Intermediate

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. verb take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
  2. verb set in motion, cause to start
  3. verb get off the ground

Etymology

From Middle English commencen, comencen (also as contracted comsen, cumsen), from Anglo-Norman comencer, from Vulgar Latin *cominitiāre, formed from Latin com- + initiō (whence English initiate).

In classic literature

Synonyms

get down, begin, get, start out, start, set about, set out

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