start out
phrasal verb
started out; starting out; starts out
1
: 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 + withI started out with $100 but I have only $10 left.
Let's start out with some warm-up exercises.
2
: 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.
3
: 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.
4
: to begin a trip
They started out in the early morning.
5
: 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
Truong and his family came to the United States as refugees and settled in Haltom City after starting out in Pennsylvania.
—
Elizabeth Campbell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Apr. 2025
The Context The actress started out on Broadway, before landing roles in television and film.
—Tom Rogers, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Apr. 2025
The horse, Render Judgment, will start out of Gate 15 when the race takes place this Saturday, May 3, at Churchill Downs in Louisville.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 29 Apr. 2025
In a video shared by Pop Base, the singer's long-sleeve gown starts out half blue and half red before changing to fully red with flashing lights forming dots.
—Catherine Santino, People.com, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for start out
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Elizabeth Campbell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Apr. 2025
The Context The actress started out on Broadway, before landing roles in television and film.
—Tom Rogers, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Apr. 2025
The horse, Render Judgment, will start out of Gate 15 when the race takes place this Saturday, May 3, at Churchill Downs in Louisville.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 29 Apr. 2025
In a video shared by Pop Base, the singer's long-sleeve gown starts out half blue and half red before changing to fully red with flashing lights forming dots.
—Catherine Santino, People.com, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for start out
Cite this Entry
“Start out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/start%20out. Accessed 4 May. 2025.
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