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
Things started out very well on Sunday for the Philadelphia Eagles, as the linebacker Zack Baun intercepted Matt Stafford on the first drive.
—
Mark Kern, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Sep. 2025
According to these critics, the emphasis on tracking also puts well-heeled, elite units in a better position to take advantage of the system, while those that start out with less fall further and further behind.
—Tamar Jacoby, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
The night started out with a cocktail party in an airy and bright residence in the Mandarin Oriental, as realtors sipped drinks and munched on bites as live music played.
—Hadley Meares, HollywoodReporter, 18 Sep. 2025
The pythons started out as pets, but they’ve been introduced into the Everglades.
—Christina Mayo, Miami Herald, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for start out
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Mark Kern, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Sep. 2025
According to these critics, the emphasis on tracking also puts well-heeled, elite units in a better position to take advantage of the system, while those that start out with less fall further and further behind.
—Tamar Jacoby, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
The night started out with a cocktail party in an airy and bright residence in the Mandarin Oriental, as realtors sipped drinks and munched on bites as live music played.
—Hadley Meares, HollywoodReporter, 18 Sep. 2025
The pythons started out as pets, but they’ve been introduced into the Everglades.
—Christina Mayo, Miami Herald, 18 Sep. 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 25 Sep. 2025.
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