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 + with

I 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

Apa started out directing music videos for indie artists in the Philippines then continued towards films and commercials. —The Deadline Team, Deadline, 15 July 2024

Raleigh Flea Market Founded in 1971, the Raleigh Flea Market started out as just a few vendors selling at the state fairgrounds, but it's grown to an every weekend event, still at the Historic State Fairgrounds. —Heather Bien, Southern Living, 12 July 2024

For Stanley, what started out as curiosity has evolved into compassion, ensuring that for these two, whatever will be, will be together. —Steve Hartman, CBS News, 12 July 2024

The series did not start out as a project for McEntire. —Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 11 July 2024