commence

Meaning

1. (intransitive) To begin, start.
2. (transitive) To begin, start.
3. (transitive) To begin to be, or to act as.
4. (UK, dated, intransitive) To take a degree at a university.

Synonyms

begin

start

initiate

set about

originate

enter upon

undertake

lead off

embark

start out

embark on

make a beginning

institute

open

get down

set out

get

set in

inaugurate

start up

introduce

stem

get started

tackle

make a start

fetus

get going

go

go on

hitch on

hook on

inchoate

initial

kick off

land

launch

lay

lead

occur

open up

perform

precede

preface

rock and roll

run

set

set in motion

take

take up

unfold

wage

bully off

strike up

take the first step

accost

make a commencement

address

appear

approach

attach

berth

break

break into

break out

bring about

bring up

challenge

collide with

come on

crash into

dawn

deal with

depart

develop

do

embryo

emerge

ensue

establish

face off

Translations

commencer

comenzar

beginnen

anfangen

beginnen

empezar

aanvangen

débuter

başlamak

iniciar

Pronounced as (IPA)

/kəˈmɛns/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: commencen

In summary

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).