Library / English Dictionary

COMMENCE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

Example:

Let's get down to work now

Synonyms:

begin; commence; get; get down; set about; set out; start; start out

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Verb group:

begin (begin to speak, understand, read, and write a language)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "commence"):

bestir oneself; get cracking; get going; get moving; get rolling; get started; get weaving (start to be active)

embark; enter (set out on (an enterprise or subject of study))

come on (occur or become available)

launch; plunge (begin with vigor)

break in (start in a certain activity, enterprise, or role)

attack (set to work upon; turn one's energies vigorously to a task)

auspicate (commence in a manner calculated to bring good luck)

get to (arrive at the point of)

jump off (set off quickly, usually with success)

fall (begin vigorously)

strike out (set out on a course of action)

recommence (begin again)

Sentence frames:

Something ----s
Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s to INFINITIVE
Somebody ----s VERB-ing

Sentence example:

They commence moving

Derivation:

commencement (the act of starting something)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Set in motion, cause to start

Example:

begin a new chapter in your life

Synonyms:

begin; commence; lead off; start

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Cause:

begin; start (have a beginning, in a temporal, spatial, or evaluative sense)

Verb group:

begin (have a beginning, of a temporal event)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "commence"):

jump-start; jumpstart (start or re-start vigorously)

recommence (cause to start anew)

inaugurate; introduce; usher in (be a precursor of)

set off (set in motion or cause to begin)

commence; embark on; start; start up (get off the ground)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

Derivation:

commencement (the act of starting something)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Get off the ground

Example:

The blood shed started when the partisans launched a surprise attack

Synonyms:

commence; embark on; start; start up

Classified under:

Verbs of sewing, baking, painting, performing

Hypernyms (to "commence" is one way to...):

begin; commence; lead off; start (set in motion, cause to start)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "commence"):

inaugurate; kick off (commence officially)

open (begin or set in action, of meetings, speeches, recitals, etc.)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

Derivation:

commencement (the act of starting something)

Credits

 Context examples: 

A stare or two at Fanny, as William helped her out of the carriage, was all the voluntary notice which this brother bestowed; but he made no objection to her kissing him, though still entirely engaged in detailing farther particulars of the Thrush's going out of harbour, in which he had a strong right of interest, being to commence his career of seamanship in her at this very time.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

In that case we should have to commence our investigation from a fresh basis altogether.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Here, drawing the cloth off with great pride and care, are two pieces of furniture to commence with.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

No, I shall commence with the City.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

These are the reflections of the first days; but when the lapse of time proves the reality of the evil, then the actual bitterness of grief commences.

(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)

"It cannot be too early to commence the task I have to fulfil," thought I. I rose: I was dressed; for I had taken off nothing but my shoes.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

If there be anything behind this instinct it will be valuable to trace it afterwards accurately, so I had better commence to do so, therefore— R. M. Renfield, ætat 59. Sanguine temperament; great physical strength; morbidly excitable; periods of gloom, ending in some fixed idea which I cannot make out.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

I felt extremely flattered by this arrangement, and we commenced carrying it into execution that very evening.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

Now from this double point our research must commence, and we will begin it by presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Such were my reflections as I commenced my journey; but as I proceeded, my spirits and hopes rose.

(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)