for starters

Also found in: Dictionary, Thesaurus, Medical, Encyclopedia.

for starters

1. As one example or reason (out of several potential ones). Why don't I like musicals? Well, for starters, I just can't take a story seriously when it's set to music. I prefer shopping at brick-and-mortar shops. It's nice talking to someone in person, for starters.

2. Initially; as a beginning. A: "I'd like to help in some way, if I can." B: "OK. For starters, you could set up chairs for the guests."

for starters

INFORMAL

1. People say for starters to introduce the first thing or things in a series of things. It'll be nicer than being at home, in some ways. No kids and dogs, for starters. There was so much I needed to know. How did my previous beliefs fit in with what I was now discovering, for starters?

2. People say for starters to talk about the first thing to be done. I'd like to punch him on the nose for starters.

for starters

Informal

To begin with; initially: "Deborah believes him, indicating, for starters, that she isn't the brightest" (Judith Crist).