start off
phrasal verb
started off; starting off; starts off
1
: 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 + withI 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.
2
: to have a specified quality, identity, job, etc., at the start
She started off as a sales assistant but is now the marketing director.
3
: to begin an important period in one's life or career
The house is perfect for a couple just starting off.
4
: to begin to move toward a particular place or in a particular direction
She ate breakfast before starting off for work.
5
: 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
Also known as Dirt Nasty, Rex started off as an MTV VJ and formed the hip-hop group Three Loco.
—
Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 10 Mar. 2025
What started off as a joke led to further discussions.
—Angela Andaloro, People.com, 10 Mar. 2025
What makes this product truly unique is its innovative technology – the formula starts off as a grey tint, then adjusts to seamlessly match your skin tone, providing a flawless finish.
—Kiana Murden, Vogue, 10 Mar. 2025
Adrian Brody gave the longest speech in Oscar history, starting off thanking everyone who’d ever shown him respect and kindness without interrogating why his white, maleness might predispose those around him to show him deference.
—Cristina Escobar, refinery29.com, 3 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for start off
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Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 10 Mar. 2025
What started off as a joke led to further discussions.
—Angela Andaloro, People.com, 10 Mar. 2025
What makes this product truly unique is its innovative technology – the formula starts off as a grey tint, then adjusts to seamlessly match your skin tone, providing a flawless finish.
—Kiana Murden, Vogue, 10 Mar. 2025
Adrian Brody gave the longest speech in Oscar history, starting off thanking everyone who’d ever shown him respect and kindness without interrogating why his white, maleness might predispose those around him to show him deference.
—Cristina Escobar, refinery29.com, 3 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for start off
Cite this Entry
“Start off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/start%20off. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.
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