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
Cheryl Burke Cheryl Burke started off her time on DWTS with a bang, taking home the Mirrorball trophy with partner Drew Lachey in season 2.
—
Alexandra Schonfeld, People.com, 3 June 2025
According to Reuters, the peace blueprint Ukraine delivered to Russia started off with a full ceasefire of 30 days, monitored by the United States and other third parties.
—Daniel R. Depetris, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 June 2025
Trump started off his college days at Fordham University in the Bronx in 1964, but transferred to Wharton two years later.
—Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 2 June 2025
Even during the aforementioned interview, the conversation starts off with Mayweather having his arm around Merchant.
—Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for start off
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Alexandra Schonfeld, People.com, 3 June 2025
According to Reuters, the peace blueprint Ukraine delivered to Russia started off with a full ceasefire of 30 days, monitored by the United States and other third parties.
—Daniel R. Depetris, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 June 2025
Trump started off his college days at Fordham University in the Bronx in 1964, but transferred to Wharton two years later.
—Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 2 June 2025
Even during the aforementioned interview, the conversation starts off with Mayweather having his arm around Merchant.
—Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 31 May 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 6 Jun. 2025.
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