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

At Hutong in New York, the kitchen initially rejected the idea of making Peking turkey, certain it would come out too dry.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Even A24, which has had incredible Oscar success, didn’t initially find traction with voters.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

By then, the damage was so advanced that doctors initially told her she might not survive if she left the hospital without a new heart.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The police initially deemed Cole to be medium risk after carrying out an assessment and speaking with family and friends.

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The team initially assumed the device was part of a navigational marker, but later suspected it resembled a sonobuoy - an acoustic monitoring device, often used to detect submarines.

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Related Words

• originally