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

Charging documents, which identify the event planner only by the initials R.C., say the plot against him grew to include his romantic partner.

From Los Angeles Times

Lancashire Police said their initial handling “did not meet the standard expected”.

From BBC

The researchers focused on the proportion of shape-based nouns in children's initial vocabularies.

From Science Daily

Mr Musk's initial legal action filed in March argued the agreement had transformed it into "a closed-source de facto subsidiary" of the PC giant.

From BBC

Following initial treatment, it seemed that his condition was improving and there was a belief that medication had been working, the inquest heard.

From BBC

Related Words

• basic
• introductory
• original