began
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
An inflected form of begin · inflected form.
How often you will meet it
Rank 232 of 71,295 words measured. It occurs 97,956 times across 155,139 chapters — 0.047% of every word in the library.
It belongs to the first 500 words, the band worth learning before any other.
What it means
verb
- take the first step or steps in carrying out an action also: get down, get, start out, start, set about, set out We began working at dawnWho will start?
- have a beginning, in a temporal, spatial, or evaluative sense also: start The DMZ begins right over the hillThe second movement begins after the Allegro
- set in motion, cause to start also: lead off, start, commence The U.S. started a war in the Middle EastThe Iraqis began hostilities
- begin to speak or say `Now listen, friends', he began
- be the first item or point, constitute the beginning or start, come first in a series The number `one' begins the sequenceA terrible murder begins the novel
- have a beginning, of a temporal event WW II began in 1939 when Hitler marched into PolandThe company's Asia tour begins next month
began in real books
Each sentence below was written by a published author and is taken from a different book in our library. Open one to read the passage it came from, with narration.
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For many a league, for many a weary mile, We've trudged along since break of day began.
The White Christmas and other Merry · Walter Ben Hare · Chapter 1
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I began to wonder whether he had changed his mind, and returned to Rowchester with Lady Angela.
The Betrayal · E. Phillips (Edward Phillips) Oppenheim · Chapter 1
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Her face brightened visibly, and as to Daisy, she sat down and began to play with the kitten on the spot.
The Palace Beautiful: A Story for Girls · L. T. Meade · Chapter 1
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She rose obediently, and with no sign of protest began gathering an apronful of twigs and piling them for a fire.
The Heart of the Hills · John, Jr. Fox · Chapter 1
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The dominating, unhurried note rang, echoed, and began to die away as they saw Brant's hand fall on Bob Floyd's shoulder.
The Courage of the Commonplace · Mary Raymond Shipman Andrews · Chapter 1