Synonyms: begin, commence, start, initiate, inaugurate
These verbs denote coming into being or taking the first step, as in a procedure. Begin, commence, and start are equivalent in meaning, though commence is more formal, and start often stresses the point where inaction turns to action: The play begins at eight o'clock. The festivities commenced with the national anthem. We will stay on the platform until the train starts. Initiate applies to causing the first steps in a process: I initiated a lawsuit against the driver who hit my car. Inaugurate often connotes a formal beginning: “The exhibition inaugurated a new era of cultural relations”
You can start a car or lawnmover, but you can't begin them.
You can begin the movie, but you normally start it.
You start any machine and you also start your bath water.
I would say begin has a higher register than start.
Start usually refers to an activity - The game will start at 4:00. Begin is used for official proceedings - Class will begin on time.
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