initiate

[ verb ih-nish-ee-eyt; adjective, noun ih-nish-ee-it, -eyt ]

/ verb ɪˈnɪʃ iˌeɪt; adjective, noun ɪˈnɪʃ i ɪt, -ˌeɪt /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR initiate ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), in·i·ti·at·ed, in·i·ti·at·ing.

to begin, set going, or originate: to initiate major social reforms.

to introduce into the knowledge of some art or subject.

to admit or accept with formal rites into an organization or group, secret knowledge, adult society, etc.

to propose (a measure) by initiative procedure: to initiate a constitutional amendment.

adjective

initiated; begun.

admitted into an organization or group, secret knowledge, etc.

introduced to the knowledge of a subject.

noun

a person who has been initiated.

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Origin of initiate

First recorded in 1595–1605; from Latin initiātus, past participle of initiāre “to ritually initiate, admit,” equivalent to initi(um) “beginning” + -ātus past participle suffix;see initial,-ate¹

SYNONYMS FOR initiate

1 commence; introduce, inaugurate, open.

2 teach, instruct, indoctrinate, train.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR initiate ON THESAURUS.COM

ANTONYMS FOR initiate

1 conclude.

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synonym study for initiate

1. See begin.

OTHER WORDS FROM initiate

in·i·ti·a·tor, nounnon·in·i·ti·ate, nounpre·in·i·ti·ate, verb (used with object), pre·in·i·ti·at·ed, pre·in·i·ti·at·ing.pre·in·i·ti·ate, noun

qua·si-in·i·ti·at·ed, adjectivere·in·i·ti·ate, verb (used with object), re·in·i·ti·at·ed, re·in·i·ti·at·ing.un·in·i·ti·ate, adjectiveun·in·i·ti·at·ed, adjectivewell-in·i·ti·at·ed, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for initiate

The idea that January 1st initiates a period of new beginning is not a flash of Hallmark brilliance.
New Year’s Eve, Babylon Style|Candida Moss|December 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In 1983, Gaddafi initiates work on the Great Manmade River, a network of wells and pipelines for water.
Muammar Gaddafi's 25 Strangest Moments|David A. Graham|February 23, 2011|DAILY BEAST
There must have been literally hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of initiates, across the millennium of classical history.
The Best of Brit Lit|Peter Stothard|May 27, 2010|DAILY BEAST
Mr. Browning initiates his final inquiry by declaring that he will accept only the testimony of fact.
A Handbook to the Works of Browning (6th ed.)|Mrs. Sutherland Orr

This remains a mystery, not only to the outside world but to the "initiates" themselves.
Secret Societies And Subversive Movements|Nesta H. Webster
The nurse and the priest are initiates of the same knowledge.
Different Girls|Various
His work satisfies him, and every new detail he perfects, every novelty he initiates, vouchsafes him a powerful ego gratification.
Psychoanalysis|Andr Tridon
Letters, numbers, astrology, geography and all branches of science were secrets known only to initiates.
Woman, Church & State|Matilda Joslyn Gage

British Dictionary definitions for initiate

initiate

verb (ɪˈnɪʃɪˌeɪt) (tr)

to begin or originate

to accept (new members) into an organization such as a club, through often secret ceremonies

to teach fundamentals toshe initiated him into the ballet

adjective (ɪˈnɪʃɪɪt, -ˌeɪt)

initiated; begun

noun (ɪˈnɪʃɪɪt, -ˌeɪt)

a person who has been initiated, esp recently

a beginner; novice

Word Origin for initiate

C17: from Latin initiāre (vb), from initium; see initial

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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initiate