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
As a Columbus sophomore, Mendoza started out as a fourth-stringer and had to wait his turn behind Brandon McDuffie, a senior captain in 2019.
—
Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 14 Dec. 2025
Swifties began their own tribal rituals that became part of the tour, after starting out on a strictly organic grass-roots level — most notably, the friendship-bracelet craze.
—Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 12 Dec. 2025
Friday morning started out not as cold as earlier in the week in North Texas, with temperatures in the 40s.
—Michael Autovino, CBS News, 12 Dec. 2025
Brown was just starting out, so was Gordon.
—Adam Moss, Vulture, 12 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for start out
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Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 14 Dec. 2025
Swifties began their own tribal rituals that became part of the tour, after starting out on a strictly organic grass-roots level — most notably, the friendship-bracelet craze.
—Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 12 Dec. 2025
Friday morning started out not as cold as earlier in the week in North Texas, with temperatures in the 40s.
—Michael Autovino, CBS News, 12 Dec. 2025
Brown was just starting out, so was Gordon.
—Adam Moss, Vulture, 12 Dec. 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 16 Dec. 2025.
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