start out
Britishverb
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to set out on a journey
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to take the first steps, as in life, one's career, etc
he started out as a salesman
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to take the first actions in an activity in a particular way or specified aim
they started out wanting a house, but eventually bought a flat
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Tarlov didn’t start out seeking a career as a TV personality, although her family background likely helped her understand media and communication.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 14, 2026
Just because you start out being a size 6, doesn't mean you'll remain a size 6.
From BBC ● Aug. 4, 2026
AI’s potential to transform Wall Street is especially apparent in banks’ lucrative investment-banking divisions, where future rainmakers often start out as junior analysts performing rote tasks.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 18, 2026
Researchers believe this dramatic transformation helps it resemble the young leaves of rainforest plants, which often start out pink before turning green.
From Science Daily ● May 2, 2026
Therefore, the total cost of each call center operator is actually around $500 per month when they start out and closer to $600 to $700 per month after six months.
From "The World Is Flat" by Thomas L. Friedman
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
