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

Over six episodes, what starts out looking like a twisty spy thriller quickly becomes something more nuanced. —Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 11 Feb. 2026

Last season, the Mustangs ended up 21-11 despite starting out with a 60-45 loss to Shepard, a 58-41 loss to Hillcrest and a 55-20 loss to Marist. —Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026

Harper and Yasmin, who’s emerged as the series’ co-lead, started out among Pierpoint’s newest hires; by the end of Season 3, the firm had been effectively dissolved, its novice traders scattered to the winds. —Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026

As the rise of artificial intelligence reshapes the workforce, there are fewer entry-level jobs for those just starting out. —Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 8 Feb. 2026

Rhymes for start out

• about
• bailout
• blackout
• blowout
• breakout
• burnout
• buyout
• checkout
• closeout
• cutout
• devout
• dropout