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
Producer/songwriter Andrew Watt‘s started off his wild year with Lady Gaga‘s smash Mayhem, co-producing and co-writing with Gaga, Cirkut, and others, and earning an executive producer credit alongside Gaga and Michael Polansky.
—
Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 19 Sep. 2025
The season started off nicely when Chicago led the Minnesota Vikings entering the fourth quarter of their season opener.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Mike Vrabel and the New England Patriots have started off the 2025 NFL season with a 1-1 record.
—Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
The Mets-Padres game started off on the right note!
—Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for start off
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Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 19 Sep. 2025
The season started off nicely when Chicago led the Minnesota Vikings entering the fourth quarter of their season opener.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Mike Vrabel and the New England Patriots have started off the 2025 NFL season with a 1-1 record.
—Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
The Mets-Padres game started off on the right note!
—Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 17 Sep. 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 20 Sep. 2025.
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