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