initially

[ih-nish-uh-lee]

adverb

1. happening first; at the start; in the beginning.

   Although natural gas cars cost a bit more initially, savings from lower fuel costs can help make up the difference.

   The foundation initially funded only educational programs, but later also awarded grants for emotional and social support.

Word History and Origins

Origin of initially¹

initial ( def. ) + -ly

Example Sentences

The Conservative leader admitted she initially spent a day preparing lines and data, only to find that people were not following what she was saying.

Read more on BBC

The state’s proposed Zone Zero regulations that would force homeowners to create an ember-resistant zone around their houses — initially planned to take effect nearly three years ago — had caused an uproar in the region.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Shafali Verma was initially dropped from India's Women's World Cup squad but the opener returned as an injury replacement to star in the title win and etch her name in history.

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"He has pretty severe Type 2 diabetes, and the detention center initially didn't even give him any medication," she added.

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Iran at the time was building a regional network of allies and initially supported the Houthis with arms and cash transfers, according to Bukhaiti, the former spokesman.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• originally