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
Much like OpenAI and Anthropic, DeepMind started out as a startup before it was acquired by Google in 2014.
—
Will Henshall, TIME, 13 May 2024
In Columbus, the night will start out wet, but then clear.
—David Wysong, The Enquirer, 10 May 2024
The textured Loewe gown starts out stark white at the top and descends into an explosion of vibrant flower embroidery.
—Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 7 May 2024
The fun-sized herd started out attending outdoor children's parties and private visits around southern England, but Woodland needed a way to keep business from dropping off with the temperatures every winter.
—Zoey Lyttle, Peoplemag, 7 May 2024
Image: Instagram Another feature, Frames, puts a Polaroid overlay on to images that start out gray.
—Mia Sato, The Verge, 3 May 2024
Apprentices starting out make 45 percent of a journeyman’s rate.
—La Risa R. Lynch, Journal Sentinel, 3 May 2024
Popular on Variety There was no such organization when Lakshmi started out.
—Shalini Dore, Variety, 3 May 2024
Dishes start out vegan or vegetarian, and customers can choose to add chicken, steak, salmon, shrimp or tofu.
—Catherine Muccigrosso, Charlotte Observer, 2 May 2024
Will Henshall, TIME, 13 May 2024
In Columbus, the night will start out wet, but then clear.
—David Wysong, The Enquirer, 10 May 2024
The textured Loewe gown starts out stark white at the top and descends into an explosion of vibrant flower embroidery.
—Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 7 May 2024
The fun-sized herd started out attending outdoor children's parties and private visits around southern England, but Woodland needed a way to keep business from dropping off with the temperatures every winter.
—Zoey Lyttle, Peoplemag, 7 May 2024
Image: Instagram Another feature, Frames, puts a Polaroid overlay on to images that start out gray.
—Mia Sato, The Verge, 3 May 2024
Apprentices starting out make 45 percent of a journeyman’s rate.
—La Risa R. Lynch, Journal Sentinel, 3 May 2024
Popular on Variety There was no such organization when Lakshmi started out.
—Shalini Dore, Variety, 3 May 2024
Dishes start out vegan or vegetarian, and customers can choose to add chicken, steak, salmon, shrimp or tofu.
—Catherine Muccigrosso, Charlotte Observer, 2 May 2024
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.
Dictionary Entries Near start out
Cite this Entry
“Start out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/start%20out. Accessed 20 May. 2024.
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