start out: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Neutral to informal
Quick answer
What does “start out” mean?
To begin a journey, career, or process.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To begin a journey, career, or process.
To initially be in a certain state or position; to embark on something new.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning; usage is similar in both varieties.
Connotations
Similar connotations of beginning and initial stages.
Frequency
Equally common in both UK and US English.
Grammar
How to Use “start out” in a Sentence
start out as + nounstart out in + noun/gerundstart out + adverb/prepositional phraseVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “start out” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He started out as a teacher before becoming a writer.
- They started out on their hike at sunrise.
American English
- She started out in sales and worked her way up.
- We started out with a small budget.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used to describe the beginning of a career or venture, e.g., 'She started out as an intern.'
Academic
Less common; may appear in narratives or case studies.
Everyday
Common in conversation, e.g., 'We started out early to avoid traffic.'
Technical
Rare; not typically used in technical jargon.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “start out”
- Using 'start out' without a preposition when one is needed, e.g., 'He started out lawyer' instead of 'He started out as a lawyer.'
- Overusing in formal contexts where 'begin' might be more appropriate.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is generally neutral to informal; more common in spoken English.
Yes, it can be intransitive, e.g., 'We started out at dawn.'
'Start out' often emphasizes the initial stage of a longer process or journey, while 'start' can be more general.
Use 'started out', e.g., 'He started out as a trainee.'
To begin a journey, career, or process.
Start out: in British English it is pronounced /stɑːt aʊt/, and in American English it is pronounced /stɑːrt aʊt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “start out on the right foot”
- “start out from scratch”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'start' as beginning and 'out' as moving outward; together, they mean to begin a journey or process.
Conceptual Metaphor
JOURNEY: Beginning is seen as the start of a path or voyage.
Practice
Quiz
What does 'start out' typically imply?