1 A2 neutral
To turn on a computer or device and allow the operating system to load fully.
"Give me a moment — I just need to boot up my laptop and open the file."
separable
boot up
A2 neutral separable transitive/intransitive
To start up a computer or electronic device so that it is ready to use.
In plain English
To turn on a computer and wait for it to be ready.
What does "boot up" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 A2 neutral
(Of a computer or system) To complete the start-up process and become ready for use.
"The new solid-state drive means the computer boots up in under five seconds."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
From 'bootstrapping' — pulling yourself up by your own boot straps; refers to the self-loading process of an OS.
Actually means
To turn on a computer and wait for it to be ready.
Usage tip
Standard everyday computing vocabulary, widely understood by all English speakers. Can be transitive ('boot up the computer') or intransitive ('the computer is booting up'). 'Boot' alone is also commonly used. The term comes from the computing metaphor of pulling oneself up 'by the bootstraps', referring to the self-loading process of an operating system.
Words that pair with "boot up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
computer laptop system device PC server
How to conjugate "boot up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
boot up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
boots up
he/she/it
Past simple
booted up
yesterday
Past participle
booted up
have + pp
-ing form
booting up
continuous
Hear "boot up" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "boot up" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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