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 mini-drama trend started out predominantly in Asia but has expanded globally of late, and was a big discussion point at the recent MIPCOM Cannes as commissioners and sellers look to take advantage.
—
Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 27 Oct. 2025
While Kevin started out pop rocking with his younger brothers Nick and Joe in 2005, the group’s members began to venture out by 2011, with Joe releasing his debut solo album, Fastlife, and Nick hitting the road with his side project, Nick Jonas & the Administration, that year.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 27 Oct. 2025
Zinner’s schooling School started out for Zinner, well, OK.
—Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 26 Oct. 2025
The Nelk Boys started out as viral pranksters on YouTube and have slowly evolved into conservative political activists.
—David Wingrave, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for start out
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Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 27 Oct. 2025
While Kevin started out pop rocking with his younger brothers Nick and Joe in 2005, the group’s members began to venture out by 2011, with Joe releasing his debut solo album, Fastlife, and Nick hitting the road with his side project, Nick Jonas & the Administration, that year.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 27 Oct. 2025
Zinner’s schooling School started out for Zinner, well, OK.
—Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 26 Oct. 2025
The Nelk Boys started out as viral pranksters on YouTube and have slowly evolved into conservative political activists.
—David Wingrave, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 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 29 Oct. 2025.
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