initially

American  

[ih-nish-uh-lee] / ɪˈnɪʃ ə li /

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.

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Etymology

Origin of initially

initial ( def. ) + -ly

Explanation

The word initially can be used to describe an action that happened first. You might initially want fish for dinner, but then end up getting the pasta special that looks so good. The adverb initially can describe something that happened at the beginning. Initially you might have thought the apartment was too small, but then you decided to take it because of the rooftop garden. You initially wanted to go to college far from home, but decided to stay closer to be near your family. The bride-to-be initially wanted an outdoor wedding, but decided against it because of the area's unpredictable weather.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

initially

CXMT’s reported expansion plans initially spooked Micron investors, but the company’s shares then erased their intraday losses.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 4, 2026

In an archived TV interview, John said he didn’t think his blind date initially liked him, adding, “But I was going to show her — ‘How dare you not like me?’”

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 4, 2026

Blasts, initially thought to be exploding gas cylinders, may have been World War Two explosives detonated by the heat of the fires, the local fire commander told local media.

From BBC ● Aug. 4, 2026

At lower energies, nuclear stopping initially slows the matter down, producing deceleration of up to about 500 MeV.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 3, 2026

Geyer knew from Alice’s letters that initially she found the trip to be something of an adventure.

From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson

Related Words

• originally