# start out

CEFR B1 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/start-out
Updated: 2026-10-23

## Definition

to begin a journey or a new part of your life, like a career or a business.

For teachers: to begin a life, career, or specific venture in a particular way or with a specific intention. Often used to describe the initial state or status of a person or entity before subsequent development.

## Examples

- She started out as a waitress before becoming a famous actress.
- Many successful tech companies started out in small garages with very little money.
- Although the firm started out as a small local consultancy, it eventually expanded into a multinational corporation with offices in twenty countries.

## Usage notes

- often followed by 'as' to describe a role or 'with' to describe initial resources.
- Teaching tip: contrast with 'start' — 'start out' emphasizes the beginning of a long-term process or journey rather than a single action.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.