nascent

[ nas-uhnt, ney-suhnt ]

adjective

1. beginning to exist or develop:

   That nascent republic is holding its first election this month.

2. Chemistry. (of an element) in the nascent state.

nascent

/ ˈneɪ-; ˈnæsənt /

adjective

1. starting to grow or develop; being born
2. chem (of an element or simple compound, esp hydrogen) created within the reaction medium in the atomic form and having a high activity

Derived Forms

• ˈnascence, noun

Other Words From

• nascence nascen·cy noun
• un·nascent adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of nascent¹

First recorded in 1615–25; from Latin nāscent-, stem of nāscēns “being born,” present participle of nāscī “to be born, arise”

Word History and Origins

Origin of nascent¹

C17: from Latin nascēns present participle of nāscī to be born

Example Sentences

The Los Gatos, Calif., streamer has also been diversifying its content, including increasing its streams of live events, in order to boost its nascent advertising business.

From Los Angeles Times

However, the newcomers intend to replicate one of the world’s most popular beverages from taste, to caffeine punch, to drinking experience – and the first of this nascent industry’s beanless concoctions have begun to appear.

From BBC

But her nascent campaign opted to ditch Biden's core argument that Trump posed an existential threat to democracy, prioritising a forward-looking "joyful" message about protecting personal freedoms and preserving the middle class.

From BBC

Some of the nascent Yale abolitionists who stayed loyal to the Union were capitalists-in-training and by inheritance who were already profiting indirectly from slavery.

From Salon

He said it often begins around late elementary to early middle school, dovetailing with the nascent stages of puberty.

From Slate

Related Words

• burgeoning
• fledgling
• growing
• incipient
• promising