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

For example, Prevelo Bikes moved production to Taiwan due to the initial Trump tariffs in 2019, which increased their costs but by less than if they continued to import from China.

From Salon

But after the initial shock, the group has reorganised itself.

From BBC

Her initial dialogue sounds selected from prerecorded samples of a human voice — all Nyong’o’s acting, says Sanders, not an audio trick.

From Los Angeles Times

Since Panorama’s initial investigation, the school and gym have shut down, and three former school employees have been charged with offences including assault and abusive behaviour.

From BBC

But two US officials said initial indications suggested Russia had intercepted just two missiles out of around eight fired by Ukraine.

From BBC

Related Words

• basic
• introductory
• original