start off
verb
started off; starting off; starts off
1
: to start or cause (something) to start in a specified way
He started off by introducing himself.
She started off (her run) at a slow jog.
The performance started off badly.
—often + withI started off my speech with a joke.
We started off the meal with shrimp cocktails.
The team started the season off with a 10-game winning streak.
2
: to have a specified quality, identity, job, etc., at the start
She started off as a sales assistant but is now the marketing director.
3
: to begin an important period in one's life or career
The house is perfect for a couple just starting off.
4
: to begin to move toward a particular place or in a particular direction
She ate breakfast before starting off for work.
5
: to cause (someone) to begin doing a particular activity or action
He started his daughter off on the piano.
The game-show host started her off with some easy questions.
Examples of start off in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The students’ disappearances on April 16 started off as separate missing persons’ cases for the campus police and the sheriff’s office, involving two responsible individuals for whom missing appointments was very uncharacteristic.
—
Mike Schneider, Sun Sentinel, 1 May 2026
This year overall, has started off very warm.
—Ron Smiley, CBS News, 1 May 2026
Led by starter Martín Pérez, the Braves started off another series with a victory by beating the Tigers 5-2 at Truist Park on Tuesday.
—Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 29 Apr. 2026
But while Tom may start off exasperated and depressed, he’s soon humbled and invigorated to hilarious extremes.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for start off
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Mike Schneider, Sun Sentinel, 1 May 2026
This year overall, has started off very warm.
—Ron Smiley, CBS News, 1 May 2026
Led by starter Martín Pérez, the Braves started off another series with a victory by beating the Tigers 5-2 at Truist Park on Tuesday.
—Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 29 Apr. 2026
But while Tom may start off exasperated and depressed, he’s soon humbled and invigorated to hilarious extremes.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for start off
Cite this Entry
“Start off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/start%20off. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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