start off
phrasal 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
Not that this impressively splatter-friendly film necessarily starts off with stars in its eyes.
—
David Fear, Rolling Stone, 1 Aug. 2025
The index is equal weighted, meaning each stock starts off as 2.5% the value of the overall benchmark.
—Brendan Coffey, Sportico.com, 1 Aug. 2025
Gauff started off the second set in much the same way, missing six consecutive serves to give Kudermetova the early break.
—Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2025
Happy Gilmore 2 starts off strong with references from the original.
—Emily Blackwood, People.com, 31 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for start off
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David Fear, Rolling Stone, 1 Aug. 2025
The index is equal weighted, meaning each stock starts off as 2.5% the value of the overall benchmark.
—Brendan Coffey, Sportico.com, 1 Aug. 2025
Gauff started off the second set in much the same way, missing six consecutive serves to give Kudermetova the early break.
—Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2025
Happy Gilmore 2 starts off strong with references from the original.
—Emily Blackwood, People.com, 31 July 2025
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 5 Aug. 2025.
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