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
The 23-year-old star has started out his MLB career with a bang, leading the Orioles to back-to-back playoff appearances in his first full two seasons in the league.
—
Dj Siddiqi, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
In the first Zootopia film, Officer Judy and conman Nick started out as enemies.
—Caroline Blair, People.com, 21 May 2025
Shoaib and Chandan start out as a playful pair, but their struggle to find work leads to increasing frustrations, driving a wedge between them.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 21 May 2025
The concept actually started out as an intern research project, according to A.P. Chaney, senior creative director of sparkling flavors in North America at Sprite.
—Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for start out
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Dj Siddiqi, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
In the first Zootopia film, Officer Judy and conman Nick started out as enemies.
—Caroline Blair, People.com, 21 May 2025
Shoaib and Chandan start out as a playful pair, but their struggle to find work leads to increasing frustrations, driving a wedge between them.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 21 May 2025
The concept actually started out as an intern research project, according to A.P. Chaney, senior creative director of sparkling flavors in North America at Sprite.
—Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 20 May 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 3 Jun. 2025.
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