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 + with

I 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

Just look at how many Oscar nominees now start out at those two festivals — five of this year’s Best Picture hopefuls started at the two festivals with Cannes titles Anora and Emilia Perez and Venice entry The Brutalist dominating this year’s U.S. awards scene. —Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 17 Feb. 2025

Born and raised in Denmark, Chido started out playing for Kjobenhavns Boldklub, Copenhagen’s academy feeder club. —Tom Burrows, The Athletic, 16 Feb. 2025

Leaders said there’s enough money in San Diego’s general fund to start out, but the City Council will eventually need to budget more if the facility is to stay open. —Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Feb. 2025

Writers and cast members all start out with the same salary. —Andy Hoglund, Vulture, 13 Feb. 2025