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Starter Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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starter

[หˆstษ‘หrtษ™r ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

food

A person who starts or gives the signal for the beginning of an event, race, etc.

Synonyms

beginner, initiator, instigator.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
starter

This word was already used. Please refer to the first entry for details.
beginner

Refers to someone who is new to an activity, usually in a non-competitive and more general sense.

  • She is a beginner in French and still struggles with basic vocabulary
  • As a beginner in cooking, he often follows recipe books closely
initiator

Describes someone who initiates or starts something, often a project, idea, or process. It implies taking the first action towards something.

  • He was the initiator of the community cleanup project
  • The initiator of the new policy faced some resistance from the team
instigator

Has a negative connotation and refers to someone who provokes or causes trouble, often by initiating conflict or controversy.

  • The instigator of the fight was punished by the school principal
  • She was seen as the instigator of the office arguments

Examples of usage

  • The starter fired the gun to begin the race.
  • The starter announced the commencement of the meal.
Context #2 | Noun

food

A dish served at the beginning of a meal before the main course.

Synonyms

appetizer, entrรฉe, first course.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
starter

This term is also used similarly to 'starter' to refer to the initial part of a meal, generally in informal settings or menus.

  • We started our meal with a basket of garlic bread as a starter
  • | The menu's starter selection was varied and appetizing
appetizer

Commonly used in American English, this refers to small dishes meant to be eaten before the main course, often to stimulate the appetite.

  • The restaurant served delicious calamari as an appetizer
  • | We ordered a few appetizers to share before our entrees arrived
entrรฉe

In American English, this refers to the main course of a meal, but in other English-speaking countries, it can also refer to a starter. Context is important.

  • For my entrรฉe, I chose the grilled salmon
  • | The maรฎtre d' suggested a light entrรฉe before the steak
first course

A more formal term, often used in fine dining or multi-course meals, to describe the first part of the meal.

  • The chef prepared a special soup for the first course
  • | The first course included a beautifully arranged Caesar salad

Examples of usage

  • The restaurant offered a selection of starters, including soup and salad.
  • I decided to order the garlic bread as a starter.
Context #3 | Noun

automotive

An electric motor that starts an internal combustion engine.

Synonyms

ignition, starter motor.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
starter

Used to refer to the initial course in a meal or a device that initiates the operation of an internal combustion engine.

  • For the starter, we will serve a fresh green salad.
  • The car wouldn't start because the starter was faulty.
ignition

Commonly used in the context of starting a motor vehicle by turning the ignition key. It can also refer to the process of setting something on fire.

  • He turned the key in the ignition to start the car.
  • The ignition of the campfire was quick due to the dry wood.
starter motor

Specifically refers to the electric motor that initiates the engine in a vehicle.

  • The mechanic checked the starter motor to diagnose the car's starting issue.
  • A malfunctioning starter motor can prevent the engine from cranking up.

Examples of usage

  • The car's starter was malfunctioning and needed to be replaced.
  • The mechanic diagnosed the issue with the starter of the vehicle.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Culinary

  • In dining, a starter is often a small dish served before the main meal, like soup or salad, meant to whet the appetite.
  • Different cultures have specific types of starters; for instance, Italians often enjoy bruschetta or antipasto before their meals.

Education

  • In teaching, starters are activities used at the beginning of lessons to engage students and activate prior knowledge.
  • These engaging exercises set the tone for the class and prepare students mentally for learning.

Sports

  • In sports, a starter refers to a player who begins a game, as opposed to a substitute who comes in later.
  • Starters are crucial to team dynamics, as they often set the pace and energy for the match right from the beginning.

Technology

  • In programming, the term 'starter' can refer to an initial piece of code or package that helps set up an application swiftly.
  • Starter kits in technology often provide the essential tools for beginners to launch into a project, like electronics or coding.

Origin of 'starter'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'starter' comes from the Old English 'styrtan,' which means to leap up or begin suddenly.
  • It evolved in the English language around the 19th century to denote things responsible for initiating actions or processes.

The word 'starter' originated in the 16th century, derived from the verb 'start,' meaning 'to begin.' Originally used in the context of initiators of races or events, it later expanded to include the first course of a meal and automotive components. The term has evolved to encompass a variety of beginnings and initiations in different fields.

See also: restart, startable, starting, startle, startled, upstart.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #12,689, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.