View synonyms for initial

initial

[ ih-nish-uhl ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adjective

of, relating to, or occurring at the beginning; first:
the initial step in a process.
Phonetics. occurring at the beginning of a word or syllable, as the (k) sound of kite, chasm, or quay.

noun

an initial letter, as of a word.
the first letter of a proper name.
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 or (especially British) initialled, initialling.

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

of, at, or concerning the beginning

noun

the first letter of a word, esp a person's name
printing a large sometimes highly decorated letter set at the beginning of a chapter or work
botany a cell from which tissues and organs develop by division and differentiation; a meristematic cell

verb

tr to sign with one's initials, esp to indicate approval; endorse

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Derived Forms

inˈitially, adverb
inˈitialer, noun

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Other Words From

in·i·tial·er noun
in·i·tial·ly adverb
pre·in·i·tial verb (used with object)
sub·in·i·tial verb (used with object) subinitialed subinitialing or (especially British) subinitialled subinitialling
un·in·i·tialed (especially British) un·in·i·tialled adjective

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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

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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

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Example Sentences

The victims, identified in the indictment only by their initials, M.S. and A.S., were told someone else had already submitted an application for their property, according to the indictment.

From Los Angeles Times

Earlier, the ICC said it would take custody of Duterte and schedule a hearing for his initial appearance before the court.

From BBC

When the initial concept waned in popularity, the show was revamped as “The Celebrity Apprentice” in 2008.

From Los Angeles Times

The first focuses on Faruq’s trip to the redwoods, as his initial plan to spend six weeks following Odo turns into months of immersion in the community.

From Los Angeles Times

Mr Noor, who was travelling with his wife and two children, said the initial explosion on the train was "so intense" that one of his children fell from the seat.

From BBC

Related Words

init.initialism

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