The invention discloses an application starting method and a terminal. The method comprises the steps that touch operation on a touch screen is collected and recognized, and corresponding application selection interfaces are displayed on a current interface of the touch screen; and touch operation in display regions of the application selection interfaces is collected and recognized, and corresponding applications are started, wherein each of the touch operation triggering display of the corresponding application selection interfaces on the touch screen and the application selection interfaces is of two types, and the touch operation and the application selection interfaces are in one-to-one correspondence. By the application of the method, quick start of a designated application can be realized, and the method is suitable for a screen locking state and a screen unlocking state; different users can customize the application selection interfaces conforming to their own habits, and the same user can customize multiple different application selection interfaces; the application selection interfaces are set in multiple shapes, and display positions of the application selection interfaces can keep consistent with touch points, so that great convenience is brought to selection operation by the users; moreover, when interface display is incomplete, the application selection interfaces can be adjusted adaptively to guarantee an optimal visual effect.