Meaning & use
initial
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Meanings
adjectivebefore a noun
Coming at the start; first in a series of events or stages.
Grammar: Used before a noun, not after a verb: the initial stage, not the stage was initial.
Patterns
- the initial stage of something
- an initial reaction to something
My initial reaction was to laugh, but then I realized she was serious.
The initial results of the survey look promising.
There will be an initial payment of fifty dollars.
nouncountable
The first letter of a name or word, often used to stand for the whole name.
Grammar: Often plural for a person's names: her initials are J.K.
Patterns
- sign with your initials
- the initial of something
Please write your initials at the bottom of each page.
His briefcase had his initials stamped in gold.
What initial does her surname begin with?
verbtransitive
To mark or sign a document with your initials to show you have seen or approved it.
Grammar: Takes an object: initial the form.
Patterns
- initial something
Please initial each page of the contract.
She initialed the changes before returning the file.
The manager initialed the delivery note.
Word forms
| plural (noun) | initials |
|---|---|
| third person singular | initials |
| past tense | initialed |
| past participle | initialed |
| -ing form | initialing |
Common combinations
- initial stage
- The project is still in its initial stage.
- initial reaction
- My initial reaction was disbelief.
- initial investment
- The initial investment was small.
- initial impression
- Her initial impression of the town was positive.
- initial cost
- The initial cost is high, but it saves money later.
- sign your initials
- Please sign your initials here.
Synonyms and how they differ
- first
- First is the plain everyday word, and initial is more formal and fits reports and descriptions of processes.
- opening
- Opening suits things that begin an event, like an opening speech, but initial refers to the first step in a sequence.
- early
- Early only says something is near the start in time, but initial means the very first.
- preliminary
- Preliminary suggests a first step done before the main one, often provisional, while initial just means first.
Opposites
Word family
- initially adverb
- at the beginning
- initiate verb
- to begin something
- initiative noun
- the ability to act first, or a new plan
- initialize verb
- to set a computer value to its starting state
Commonly confused: initial or initiate? initial or initially?
initial vs initiate
Initiate is a verb meaning to start something, while initial is an adjective meaning first.
initial vs initially
Initially is the adverb, so say initially I thought, not initial I thought.
Practice
Please write your ____ next to each change so we know you approved it.
Choose one answer.
Initials are the first letters of your names, which people write to approve something. Initiatives are plans, initiations are beginnings or ceremonies, and incentives are rewards.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “initial”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.