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 + 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
Much like OpenAI and Anthropic, DeepMind started out as a startup before it was acquired by Google in 2014.
—
Will Henshall, TIME, 13 May 2024
In Columbus, the night will start out wet, but then clear.
—David Wysong, The Enquirer, 10 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for start out 
Will Henshall, TIME, 13 May 2024
In Columbus, the night will start out wet, but then clear.
—David Wysong, The Enquirer, 10 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for start out
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'start out.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near start out
Cite this Entry
“Start out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/start%20out. Accessed 31 May. 2024.
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