beginning

1 coming before the main part or item usually to introduce or prepare for what follows the beginning part of the book is a portrait of Europe on the eve of the World War I Synonyms preliminary, introductory, precursory, prefatory, prelim, prelusive, preparative, preparatory, primaryRelated Words introducing, prefacing, preparing, readying; premonitory, warning; basic, elementary, fundamental; ahead, early, former, preceding, previous, priorNear Antonyms after, behind, following, subsequent

2 of or relating to the simplest facts or theories of a subject a course in beginning geology for nonscience majors Synonyms abecedarian, basal, basic, elementary, elemental, essential, fundamental, introductory, meat-and-potatoes, rudimental, rudimentary, underlyingRelated Words primal, primary, prime, simple; crude, primeval, primitive, primordial, rude, uncomplicated; preliminary, preparatory; crucial, important, keyNear Antonyms complex, sophisticated; complicated, convoluted, detailed, elaborate, extensive, intricate; developed, evolved, high, higher, refinedAntonyms advanced

the point at which something begins the actual beginning of the universe is still under debate, with some scientists continuing to uphold the big bang theory Synonyms alpha, baseline, birth, commencement, dawn, day one, genesis, get-go (also git-go), inception, incipience, incipiency, kickoff, launch, morning, nascence, nascency, onset, outset, start, threshold Related Words drawing board, first base, ground zero, square one; creation, founding, inauguration, initiation, institution, origination; cradle, fountain, fountainhead, germ, origin, root, seedbed, source, spring, well, wellspring; dawning, opening; advent, appearance, arrival, debut (also début), emergence; childhood, infancy, youth Near Antonyms cessation, closing, closure, completion, finale, finish, period, stop, termination, windup Antonyms close, conclusion, end, ending, omega