initial

1 of 3

adjective

ini·​tial i-ˈni-shəl 

1

: of or relating to the beginning : incipient

his initial reaction

2

: placed at the beginning : first

the initial word of the verse

initialness

i-ˈni-shəl-nəs 

noun

initial

2 of 3

noun

1

a

: the first letter of a name

b

initials plural : the first letter of each word in a full name

found that their initials were identical

2

: a large letter beginning a text or a division or paragraph

3

: anlage, precursor

specifically : a meristematic cell

initial

3 of 3

verb

initialed or initialled; initialing or initialling i-ˈni-sh(ə-)liŋ 

transitive verb

1

: to affix an initial to

2

: to authenticate or give preliminary approval to by affixing the initials of an authorizing representative

Synonyms

Adjective

• earliest
• first
• foremost
• headmost
• inaugural
• leadoff
• maiden
• original
• pioneer
• premier
• virgin

Examples of initial in a Sentence

Adjective

you've resolved my initial complaint, but now I have a new question

Noun

President Franklin D. Roosevelt's middle initial stood for “Delano.”

She put her initials on each page of the contract.

The initials F.D.R. stood for “Franklin Delano Roosevelt.”

Verb

She initialed each page of the contract.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

However, based on his initial estimates, both projects are likely years from seeing the light of day. —Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 7 Dec. 2024

An initial pretrial conference is scheduled for Jan. 9, 2025 and a jointly prepared case management plan is due by the parties on Jan. 2, 2025. —Danielle Bacher, People.com, 7 Dec. 2024

Noun

The high-frequency initial and continuing filings for unemployment benefits confirm the reversal of the impact of the hurricanes and strike. —Bill Stone, Forbes, 7 Dec. 2024

Take it up a notch with this chic, personalized matchbox featuring your and your wife’s initials. —Brigitt Earley, Glamour, 6 Dec. 2024

Verb

The serial numbers on those seals are written on a form that is then initialed by the chief inspector and a member of the Board of Absentee Canvassers. —Alison Dirr, Journal Sentinel, 30 Oct. 2024

When those match, it’s marked approved the approver initials the envelope. —Sarah D. Wire, USA TODAY, 28 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French iniciel, from Latin initialis, from initium beginning, from inire to go into, from in- + ire to go — more at issue entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

1526, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1627, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

circa 1864, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing initial

• initial coin offering
• initial public offering
• initial rhyme
• initial side

Kids Definition

initial

1 of 3 adjective

ini·​tial in-ˈish-əl 

1

: of, relating to, or existing at the beginning : earliest

initial stages of a disease

2

: placed or standing at the beginning : first

the initial letter of a word

initially

-ˈish-(ə-)lē 

adverb

initial

2 of 3 noun

1

: a first letter of a name

2

: a large letter beginning a text or paragraph

initial

3 of 3 verb

initialed or initialled; initialing or initialling -ˈish-(ə-)liŋ 

: to mark with initials or an initial

initial a handkerchief