starter

/ˈstɑːtə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈstɑːrtər/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈstär-tər/ (ame, mw)

starter — noun

  • startersingular
  • startersplural

1. a light dish eaten at the very start of a meal, for example soup, salad, or spri

1.名詞A2
釋義

a light dish eaten at the very start of a meal, for example soup, salad, or spring rolls, followed later by the main course

例句

For a starter, Nikos ordered the garlic mushrooms with a side salad.

The menu offered six different starters, including spring rolls and fried calamari.

countable noun with number: 'six different starters'

同義詞
  • appetizer

    more common in American English; 'starter' is primarily British

  • first course

    slightly more formal; used in fine-dining menus

  • hors d'oeuvre

    refers to smaller, finger-food items often served before a meal, not always a plated first course

反義詞
  • main course

    the main dish that follows the starter

  • dessert

    the sweet course served at the end of a meal

用法筆記

In American English, the more common word is 'appetizer' rather than 'starter'.

常見錯誤

❌I had a starter for my main course.
✅I had a starter before the main course.
💡a starter is the first dish, not the main dish.

2. any person, animal, or team that starts a race or competition, whether or not th

2.名詞B1
釋義

any person, animal, or team that starts a race or competition, whether or not they finish the whole event

例句

Only eight of the twelve horses finished the race, though all were starters.

contrast: all twelve were starters but only eight finished

Dahlia was a last-minute starter in the marathon after her teammate pulled out.

compound: last-minute starter

同義詞
  • contestant

    more general; can apply to any competition, not just races

  • competitor

    emphasizes the competitive aspect rather than just being present at the start

  • participant

    broader term; a starter is specifically one who begins the event

反義詞
  • non-starter

    someone expected to compete but who did not begin

  • finisher

    someone who completes the race

用法筆記

Commonly used in sports commentary and race reporting. A 'non-starter' is someone who was expected to compete but did not actually begin.

3. a person who has recently started a new job, role, or activity and therefore has

3.名詞B1
釋義

a person who has recently started a new job, role, or activity and therefore has little experience

例句

As a starter at the design firm, Eve spent her first week learning the software.

pattern: as a starter at + [place]

The pottery course is designed for starters who have never touched clay before.

同義詞
  • beginner

    more general; sounds natural in any variety of English

  • novice

    slightly more formal; suggests someone at the very earliest stage

  • newcomer

    focuses on being new to a group or place rather than lack of skill

反義詞
  • veteran

    someone with long experience

  • expert

    someone with advanced skill or knowledge

用法筆記

In British workplace English, 'new starter' is a common term for a new employee. In other contexts, 'beginner' or 'novice' is more widely used.

常見錯誤

❌The starter machine broke.' (meaning a beginner)
✅The new employee joined today.
💡'starter' for a person is mainly British; in American English it can cause confusion with the engine part.

4. an electric motor in a vehicle that turns the engine to get it running when the

4.名詞B1
釋義

an electric motor in a vehicle that turns the engine to get it running when the driver turns the key or pushes a button

例句

When Tuan turned the key, the starter made a clicking sound but nothing happened.

symptom-description pattern: starter + made + [sound]

The mechanic said the starter needed to be replaced before the car would start again.

同義詞

用法筆記

In automotive contexts, this is sometimes called the 'starter motor'. A 'starter problem' (engine won't crank) is different from a 'battery problem' (lights dim, no clicking).

常見錯誤

❌The starter in my fridge broke.
✅The starter in my car broke.
💡a starter is a part of an internal combustion engine, not a refrigerator.

5. the race official responsible for telling competitors when they may begin, often

5.名詞B1
釋義

the race official responsible for telling competitors when they may begin, often using a starting pistol, a flag, or a shouted command

例句

The starter raised a red flag and shouted, 'On your marks, get set, go!'

action sequence with quoted commands

Eric watched the starter fire the pistol into the air to signal the start.

同義詞
  • race official

    broader term; includes all officials at an event, not just the one giving the start signal

用法筆記

Unlike sense 2 (RACE PARTICIPANT), this sense refers to the person who controls the start, not someone who runs in the race.

常見錯誤

❌The starter ran the 100-metre race.
✅The starter fired the gun to begin the 100-metre race.
💡a starter is the official who gives the signal, not the runner.

6. an object or set of materials designed to help someone begin a new activity or p

6.名詞B1
釋義

an object or set of materials designed to help someone begin a new activity or project easily

例句

Feng bought a plant starter kit that included pots, soil, and seeds.

compound noun: plant starter kit

The software includes a project starter template for first-time users.

同義詞

用法筆記

Often found in compound nouns: 'conversation starter' (a topic that gets people talking), 'starter kit', 'starter pack'.

7. a mix of live bacteria or yeast that is added to foods to make them ferment, use

7.名詞B2
釋義

a mix of live bacteria or yeast that is added to foods to make them ferment, used in making items like yogurt, cheese, sourdough, or kimchi at home

例句

Ayana kept her sourdough starter alive by feeding it flour and water each week.

collocation: sourdough starter

To make yogurt at home, you need a starter that contains live bacteria cultures.

同義詞
  • culture

    shorter term used in commercial food production; 'starter culture' is the full form

  • mother

    informal term used by home bakers for a sourdough starter kept over a long period

  • leaven

    historical term for a fermented mixture used to raise bread dough

用法筆記

This is a specialist food term. Home bakers often refer to their 'starter' as if it were a pet — they 'feed' it, 'discard' part of it, and keep it at room temperature or in the fridge.

starter — adjective