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

The Tories' leader in the Senedd will meet the first minister on Tuesday for initial talks on whether they can do a deal on the Welsh government's budget.

Read more on BBC

The breakdown of talks with Muscat, who is close to sealing China's Super League title with Shanghai Port, brought Rohl's name back into the frame and he has been appointed on an initial two-and-a-half-year deal.

Read more on BBC

In England, the initial shake-up will focus on complex airspace around London.

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The Cow Grand Prix's organiser Remo Rupf said the initial idea was to put on an event for people coming to the cheese market.

Read more on Barron's

Under an initial phase of the pact, Hamas agreed to return all remaining hostages in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners and a staged withdrawal of Israeli troops.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• basic 
• introductory 
• original