ENGLISH
REFERENCE

embark

v.
C1 Advanced Oxford US //ɛmˈbɑɹk// UK //ɛmbˈɑːk// em·bark

v. to start a new and important project or journey. You use this when you are beginning something that might be long or difficult.

v. to begin a new venture, project, or journey. Often implies a significant commitment or a transition into a major undertaking.


SIMPLE

They are ready to embark on a new business venture.

CONTEXTUAL

After graduating from university, she decided to embark on a solo trip across South America to learn Spanish.

COMPLEX

The government is set to embark on a series of radical economic reforms designed to curb inflation and encourage foreign investment over the next decade.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Etymology 1

Borrowed from Middle French embarquer, from em- + barque (“small ship”). Compare with Portuguese embarcar, Spanish abarcar.

Etymology 2

From em- + bark.

Usage

The verb is intransitive when used with 'on' or 'upon' to indicate starting a project; it is transitive when used in the context of boarding a ship or aircraft.

Pitfall

They embarked the project yesterdayThey embarked on the project yesterdayWhen meaning 'to start', the verb requires the preposition 'on' or 'upon' before the noun.

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