initial
pronunciation
How to pronounce initial in British English:
UK [ɪˈnɪʃl]
How to pronounce initial in American English:
US [ɪˈnɪʃl]
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- Noun:
- the first letter of a word (especially a person's name)
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- Verb:
- mark with one's initials
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- Adjective:
- occurring at the beginning
Word Origin
- initial (adj.)
- 1520s, "of or pertaining to a beginning," from Middle French initial or directly from Latin initialis "initial, incipient," from initium "a beginning, an entrance," from past participle stem of inire "to go into, enter upon, begin," from in- "into, in" (see in- (2)) + ire "to go" (see ion).
- initial (n.)
- "initial letter of a name or surname," 1620s, from initial (adj.) in a specialized sense "standing at the beginning of a word, sentence, etc."
- initial (v.)
- "to mark or sign with initials," 1864, American English, from initial (n.). Related: Initialed; initialing.
Example
- 1. We are through the initial testing period .
- 2. So far , it has passed its initial test .
- 3. The country 's initial fundraising success came at a hefty price .
- 4. Initial contacts between the chinese and draka 's top management were positive , he says .
- 5. The initial omens are not good .