start off
verb
started off; starting off; starts off
1
: to start or cause (something) to start in a specified way
He started off by introducing himself.
She started off (her run) at a slow jog.
The performance started off badly.
—often + withI started off my speech with a joke.
We started off the meal with shrimp cocktails.
The team started the season off with a 10-game winning streak.
2
: to have a specified quality, identity, job, etc., at the start
She started off as a sales assistant but is now the marketing director.
3
: to begin an important period in one's life or career
The house is perfect for a couple just starting off.
4
: to begin to move toward a particular place or in a particular direction
She ate breakfast before starting off for work.
5
: to cause (someone) to begin doing a particular activity or action
He started his daughter off on the piano.
The game-show host started her off with some easy questions.
Examples of start off in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Next week will start off with highs in the 70s and a chance of rain on Tuesday before temperatures rise into the 80s again.
—
Nelly Carreño, CBS News, 17 Apr. 2026
The risk will start off with large hail and the chance for a few tornadoes and will shift to primarily damaging winds with gusts 75 mph or greater through the evening, the Storm Prediction Center said.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 17 Apr. 2026
The original Philz started off locally in 2003.
—Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 17 Apr. 2026
The Cardinals had back-to-back walks to start off the bottom of the fourth with both runners advancing on a sacrifice bunt by Addison Tischer.
—Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for start off
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Nelly Carreño, CBS News, 17 Apr. 2026
The risk will start off with large hail and the chance for a few tornadoes and will shift to primarily damaging winds with gusts 75 mph or greater through the evening, the Storm Prediction Center said.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 17 Apr. 2026
The original Philz started off locally in 2003.
—Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 17 Apr. 2026
The Cardinals had back-to-back walks to start off the bottom of the fourth with both runners advancing on a sacrifice bunt by Addison Tischer.
—Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for start off
Cite this Entry
“Start off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/start%20off. Accessed 20 Apr. 2026.
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