start out
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
Habermas started out under the aegis of the Frankfurt School, serving as Adorno’s assistant.
—
Alex Ross, New Yorker, 15 June 2026
Tom Hanks started out in comedy.
—Carita Rizzo, Deadline, 15 June 2026
Lawrence Dow talked to one who started out rooting for the Netherlands because of its fans outside the stadium, then switched to Japan because of its fans inside.
—Jim Barnes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 June 2026
Game 5 started out like every other game in the series, with San Antonio quickly jumping out to a lead.
—Dan Zaksheske, FOXNews.com, 14 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for start out
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Alex Ross, New Yorker, 15 June 2026
Tom Hanks started out in comedy.
—Carita Rizzo, Deadline, 15 June 2026
Lawrence Dow talked to one who started out rooting for the Netherlands because of its fans outside the stadium, then switched to Japan because of its fans inside.
—Jim Barnes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 June 2026
Game 5 started out like every other game in the series, with San Antonio quickly jumping out to a lead.
—Dan Zaksheske, FOXNews.com, 14 June 2026
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 16 Jun. 2026.
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