start off

phrasal verb

started off; starting off; starts off

: 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 + with

I 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.

: to have a specified quality, identity, job, etc., at the start

She started off as a sales assistant but is now the marketing director.

: to begin an important period in one's life or career

The house is perfect for a couple just starting off.

: to begin to move toward a particular place or in a particular direction

She ate breakfast before starting off for work.

: 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 This week starts off with energy that could bring shocking twists of fate and sudden surprises. —

Kyle Thomas, Peoplemag, 12 May 2024 Peacemaker actor Steve Agee started off the show’s stand-up sets before a song break from America’s Got Talent contestant Puddles Pity Party. —

Nicole Fell, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for start off

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'start off.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.