beginning
Americannoun
-
an act or circumstance of entering upon an action or state.
the beginning of hostilities.
- Synonyms:
- inception, inauguration, initiation
- Antonyms:
- ending
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the point of time or space at which anything begins.
the beginning of the Christian era; the beginning of the route.
- Synonyms:
- emergence, onset, outset, commencement, start
- Antonyms:
- end
-
the first part.
the beginning of the book; the beginning of the month.
-
Often beginnings. the initial stage or part of anything.
the beginnings of science.
-
origin; source; first cause.
A misunderstanding about the rent was the beginning of their quarrel.
adjective
-
just formed.
a beginning company.
-
first; opening.
the beginning chapters of a book.
-
basic or introductory.
beginning Spanish.
-
learning the fundamentals.
a beginning swimmer.
noun
-
a start; commencement
-
(often plural) a first or early part or stage
-
the place where or time when something starts
-
an origin; source
Usage
Spelling tips for beginning The word beginning is hard to spell for two reasons. It doesn't simply combine the base word (begin) with the suffix -ing, as is done in other easy-to-remember words that end in -ing, like starting and talking. Also, it can be tempting to use a double g (beggining) instead of a double n. How to spell beginning: To spell beginning, you take the base word begin and add an n at the end. Then, add the suffix -ing. Why do you need an extra n? Because you should begin right Now.
Etymology
Origin of beginning
First recorded in 1175–1225, beginning is from the Middle English word beginnung, begonning. See begin, -ing 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Inflation has run above the central bank’s 2% target for nearly five years—and tariff-related costs are beginning to work their way to the consumer, increasing prices.
From Barron's
Many are beginning to be far more candid.
Still, the Trojans looked ready for a battle in the beginning Saturday.
From Los Angeles Times
The episode also marked the beginning of decades of international isolation for Iran.
From BBC
“These are the iron laws of the world that have existed since the beginning of time.”
From Salon
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
