start out

phrasal verb

started out; starting out; starts out

: to begin in a specified way

He started out by introducing himself.

She started out at a slow jog.

The day started out hot and humid.

The story started out good, but I didn't like the ending.

She started out wanting to be a doctor but became a midwife instead.

—often + with

I started out with $100 but I have only $10 left.

Let's start out with some warm-up exercises.

: to have a specified quality, identity, job, etc., at the start

What started out as a simple idea has become an expensive and complicated project.

He started out in teaching before becoming a lawyer.

: to begin an important period in one's life or career

The couple is just starting out.

She started out on a career in teaching.

: to begin a trip

They started out in the early morning.

: to have a particular place as a beginning point

The parade starts out at the intersection of First and Main.

Examples of start out in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Medina started out delivering food on a bicycle, switched to an electric bike, and now is using a moped to make the longer trips. —

Jason Ma, Fortune, 8 June 2024 The band started out as an opening act at the Fillmore Auditorium in San Francisco, before first headlining there in 1966. —

David Caraccio, Sacramento Bee, 7 June 2024 In boys basketball, Eastvale Roosevelt, the Open Division runner-up, starts out as the favorite, led by guard Brayden Burries. —

Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2024 The name Lilly Pulitzer is synonymous with summery clothing in vivid colors and wild patterns, but the brand started out of pure practicality. —

Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 2 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for start out

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'start out.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.