start off

phrasal verb

started off; starting off; starts off

: 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 + with

I 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.

: to have a specified quality, identity, job, etc., at the start

She started off as a sales assistant but is now the marketing director.

: to begin an important period in one's life or career

The house is perfect for a couple just starting off.

: to begin to move toward a particular place or in a particular direction

She ate breakfast before starting off for work.

: 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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

The season started off promising, with the team going 2-1 in its first three games. —

Kyle Feldscher, CNN, 27 Nov. 2024 His time as a pro looked promising, starting off with the Los Angeles Lakers. —

Ricardo Klein, Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2024 The anime version had a somewhat troubled production history starting off with the master of pathos Yasuhiro Imagawa, of Mobile Fighter G Gundam and Giant Robo fame. —

Ollie Barder, Forbes, 25 Nov. 2024 For baseboards that are painted, Matthews suggests starting off by dusting them with a clean and dry microfiber cloth, Swiffer duster, hard broom, or vacuum cleaner attachment. —

Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 22 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for start off