initial

[ ih-nish-uhl ]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or occurring at the beginning; first:

   the initial step in a process.

2. Phonetics. occurring at the beginning of a word or syllable, as the (k) sound of kite, chasm, or quay.

noun

1. an initial letter, as of a word.
2. the first letter of a proper name.
3. a letter of extra size or an ornamental character used at the beginning of a chapter or other division of a book, manuscript, or the like.

verb (used with object)

, in·i·tialed, in·i·tial·ing or (especially British) in·i·tialled, in·i·tial·ling.

1. to mark or sign with an initial or the initials of one's name, especially as a token of preliminary or informal approval.

initial

/ ɪˈnɪʃəl /

adjective

1. of, at, or concerning the beginning

noun

1. the first letter of a word, esp a person's name
2. printing a large sometimes highly decorated letter set at the beginning of a chapter or work
3. botany a cell from which tissues and organs develop by division and differentiation; a meristematic cell

verb

1. tr to sign with one's initials, esp to indicate approval; endorse

Derived Forms

• inˈitially, adverb
• inˈitialer, noun

Other Words From

• in·i·tial·er noun
• in·i·tial·ly adverb
• pre·in·i·tial verb (used with object)
• sub·in·i·tial verb (used with object) subinitialed subinitialing or (especially British) subinitialled subinitialling
• un·in·i·tialed (especially British) un·in·i·tialled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of initial¹

First recorded in 1520–30; from Latin initiālis, equivalent to initi(um) “beginning” ( init-, noun derivative of inīre “to enter, begin”; in- in- ² + īre “to go”; comes ) + -ium -ium ) + -alis -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of initial¹

C16: from Latin initiālis of the beginning, from initium beginning, literally: an entering upon, from inīre to go in, from in- ² + īre to go

Example Sentences

In recent years, various initial estimates have ranged from $6 billion to $20 billion.

From Los Angeles Times

Marking her 100 days in the job in a BBC Radio 5 Live phone-in, Eluned Morgan said initial calculations showed there were a "tiny proportion" of farms affected, but said how many was still being figured out.

From BBC

Under the deal, the UK will hand over sovereignty of the islands while retaining control over a joint UK-US military base on the island of Diego Garcia, for an "initial period" of 99 years.

From BBC

While the initial investigations surrounded discretionary commission arrangements, which were banned in 2021, the Court of Appeal decision widened the scope to any car finance commissions.

From BBC

About two million are sold this way each year, with customers paying an initial deposit, then a monthly fee with interest for the vehicle.

From BBC

Related Words

• basic
• introductory
• original