inchoate

in·cho·ate

adj \in-ˈkō-ət, ˈin-kə-ˌwāt\

Definition of INCHOATE

: being only partly in existence or operation : incipient; especially : imperfectly formed or formulated : formless, incoherent <misty, inchoate suspicions that all is not well with the nation — J. M. Perry>

— in·cho·ate·ly adverb

— in·cho·ate·ness noun

Examples of INCHOATE

1. <inchoate feelings of affection for a man whom she had, up till now, thought of as only a friend>

Origin of INCHOATE

Latin inchoatus, past participle of inchoare to start work on, perhaps from in- + cohum part of a yoke to which the beam of a plow is fitted

First Known Use: 1534

Related to INCHOATE

Synonyms: aborning, budding, inceptive, nascent, incipient

Antonyms: adult, full-blown, full-fledged, mature, ripe, ripened

Related Words: first, formative, inaugural, inchoative, initial, original; elementary, embryonic, fundamental, rudimentary; formless, incoherent; introductory, preliminary, preparatory; crude, primitive, rude

Near Antonyms: advanced, developed, evolved, high, higher, improved, refined

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Rhymes with INCHOATE

introit, prose poet, tone poet