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

The abstract pictures by Howard Mehring, Thomas Downing, Alma Thomas and others were initially loaned by the late Vincent Melzac, possibly a more colorful figure than any of the local artists he championed.

From Washington Post

The school’s conference, the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association, initially forbade team activities because of the coronavirus pandemic before reversing that decision in October, allowing schools to play open schedules.

From Washington Post

Then, she said something that initially made no sense to my brain.

From Washington Post

The event did not initially require testing or any quarantining, and it still permits spectators at the start and finish lines.

From Washington Post

The woman who called Kalish, who said her husband also works for the company in charge of this task, told her the man initially thought the owl might be injured because it was glued to the tree’s base.

From Washington Post

Dossi initially was listed in critical condition with wounds to his arm and lower back.

From The Daily Beast

The building used to be an all-girls school, and when it was initially purchased by Fortune it was dilapidated.

From The Daily Beast

Rather, it was the Democrats who initially were the Southern Party.

From The Daily Beast

Initially, it will be able to carry 1,000-pound satellite-guided bombs or 500-pound laser-guided weapons.

From The Daily Beast

Fatima says they were initially happy when Ziad joined the army, but that feeling has utterly faded.

From The Daily Beast

Consequently, when delegates from these states refused to accept the pledge, they were not initially seated at the convention.

From Project Gutenberg

Public schools were initially supported by a Literary Fund and by one-half the capitation tax.

From Project Gutenberg

The relative motion of water and float is then initially horizontal, and equal to v − u.

From Project Gutenberg

Marcus had food sent up, but didn't eat much, though initially he had been hungry.

From Project Gutenberg

In division it initially contains the high order digits of the dividend and is left with the remainder.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• originally