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
In short, for someone just starting out in 2025, the years surrounding 2070 could bring an economy half its current size—a severe, persistent slump that depletes savings, derails careers, and degrades public services.
—
Ingmar Rentzhog, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
Whereas his first book centered on cops just starting out, Wambaugh this time wrote about a veteran officer who was days away from retirement.
—Chris Koseluk, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Feb. 2025
The pair started out using a $300 KitchenAid mixer to develop initial batches of soap.
—Nicolas Vega, CNBC, 27 Feb. 2025
The resolution started out with 12 co-sponsors but has since dropped to six.
—Elaine Mallon, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 27 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for start out
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Ingmar Rentzhog, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
Whereas his first book centered on cops just starting out, Wambaugh this time wrote about a veteran officer who was days away from retirement.
—Chris Koseluk, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Feb. 2025
The pair started out using a $300 KitchenAid mixer to develop initial batches of soap.
—Nicolas Vega, CNBC, 27 Feb. 2025
The resolution started out with 12 co-sponsors but has since dropped to six.
—Elaine Mallon, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 27 Feb. 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 12 Mar. 2025.
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