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

• initially adverb
• initialer noun
• 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

He’s made enough payments toward the loan throughout the years to cover the initial amount he borrowed, but it’s been buried in decades of mounting interest.

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The prices on first day of trading were more than double the initial common share prices, according to an analysis from EY based on data from Dealogic, PitchBook, and S&P Capital IQ.

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“Based on our initial analysis and the characteristics of the proposed scheme, an additional provision is likely to be required which may be material,” Lloyds said Thursday.

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Automating the initial outreach in what is supposed to be a personal relationship between investor and founder could send the wrong message.

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The food-and-beverage company—which owns brands like Flora and Napolina—said the initial public offering will be made up of new ordinary shares, with net proceeds being used to fund growth through acquisitions.

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Related Words

• basic 
• introductory 
• original