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)

initialed, initialing , initialled, initialling .

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

Other Word Forms

• initialer noun
• initially adverb
• preinitial verb (used with object)
• subinitial verb (used with object)
• uninitialed 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

Nelson said she paid $5,000 for her divorce attorney, then another $5,000 for a lawyer in the appeals case after her ex-husband challenged the initial ruling.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

While the initial text for agreement had some vague references to things that looked like a roadmap, within days they were gone, never to return.

Read more on BBC

The Electric Car Grant scheme, which provides a discount of up to £3,750 on eligible vehicles, was launched with an initial fund of £650m.

Read more on BBC

Shares of the Arlington, Va., based natural gas exporter are down nearly 70% from the company’s initial public offering in January, and are currently trading around $7 a share.

Read more on Barron's

The TMO told the referee to stay with her original decision but after being able to watch further replays, Davidson decided to reverse her initial verdict and ruled the ball was held up.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• basic 
• introductory 
• original