Etymology Map
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Commence

3 stages from Vulgar Latin to English.

Today it means to begin

Where does the word "commence" come from? It comes from Vulgar Latin cominitiare, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
cominitiare
Vulgar Latin · ancient
"to begin together"
'com-' plus 'initiare', to begin
2
Stage 2 of 3
comencier
Old French · medieval
"to begin"
the ordinary Old French verb for begin
3
Stage 3 of 3
commence
English · 1300s
"to begin"
US 'commencement' is a graduation ceremony
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Read the full story

Commence’s story begins in Vulgar Latin: cominitiare meant “to begin together.” 'com-' plus 'initiare', to begin. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as comencier. The ordinary Old French verb for begin. It reached English by 1300s as commence. US 'commencement' is a graduation ceremony. Today, commence means to begin.