Commence — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /kə-ˈmen(t)s/ com·mence

Meaning & Definition of Commence

Commence (verb)

  1. to enter upon, begin
  2. to have or make a beginning, start
  3. to take a degree at a university

Commence (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to take the first step in (a process or course of action)

    "commence the festivities"

    similar: begin, embark (on or upon), enter (into or upon), fall (to), get off, kick off, launch, lead off, open, start, strike (into), get going, get to, set about
    related: create, generate, inaugurate, initiate, innovate, invent, originate, adopt, embrace, take on, take up, establish, father, found, institute, organize, pioneer, set up, spawn, get around (to), get down (to), get round (to)
    opposite: conclude, end, finish, terminate
    near: cease, desist, discontinue, halt, knock off, lay off, quit, stop, close, complete, abandon, forsake, leave, abolish, demolish, destroy, exterminate, extinguish, phase out

  2. to come into existence

    "the games commenced early in the morning"

    similar: actualize, appear, arise, begin, break, dawn, engender, form, materialize, originate, set in, spring, start
    related: be, breathe, exist, live, subsist, arrive, come on, emerge, coalesce, cohere, shape (up), continue, endure, last, persist, survive
    opposite: cease, end, stop
    near: conclude, desist, discontinue, finish, halt, quit, terminate, disappear, dissolve, evaporate, vanish, depart, die, expire, pass away, perish

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Commence

The most common words with a similar meaning to Commence:

begin, embark (on or upon), enter (into or upon), fall (to), get off, kick off, launch, lead off, open, start, strike (into), actualize, appear, arise, break, dawn, engender, form, materialize, originate, set in, spring, get going, get to, set about

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Commence

Words with the opposite meaning of Commence:

conclude, end, finish, terminate, cease, stop

Related Words for Commence

create, generate, inaugurate, initiate, innovate, invent, adopt, embrace, take on, take up, establish, father, found, institute, organize, pioneer, set up, spawn, get around (to), get down (to), get round (to), be, breathe, exist, live, subsist, arrive, come on, emerge, coalesce

Near Antonyms of Commence

desist, discontinue, halt, knock off, lay off, quit, close, complete, abandon, forsake, leave, abolish, demolish, destroy, exterminate, extinguish, phase out, disappear, dissolve, evaporate, vanish, depart, die, expire, pass away, perish

Word Forms of Commence

Inflections: commenced, commencing

Derived words: commencer (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Commence

Middle English comencen, from Anglo-French comencer, from Vulgar Latin *cominitiare, from Latin com- + Late Latin initiare to begin, from Latin, to initiate

First known use: 14th centuryt

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Commence

Frequently Asked Questions about Commence

What does "Commence" mean?

"Commence" means to enter upon, begin. As a verb, it is defined as: to enter upon, begin. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Commence"?

Other words for "Commence" include begin, embark (on or upon), enter (into or upon), fall (to), get off, kick off, launch and lead off. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Commence" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Commence"?

There are 62 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Commence". Common alternatives include begin, embark (on or upon), enter (into or upon), fall (to), get off, kick off, launch, lead off, open and start.

What is the opposite of "Commence"?

Antonyms of "Commence" include conclude, end, finish, terminate, cease and stop. Near antonyms include desist, discontinue, halt and knock off.

How do you use "Commence" in a sentence?

Examples of "Commence" in a sentence: "commence the festivities"; "the games commenced early in the morning".

Is "Commence" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Commence" is a verb.

Is "Commence" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C1-level word, "Commence" is typical of Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE), IELTS band 7.0–8.0, TOEFL iBT 95–113, PTE Academic 76–84, TOEIC Listening & Reading 945+. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Commence"?

"Commence" is pronounced /kə-ˈmen(t)s/ and divided into syllables as com·mence.