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 of initial

Adjective

• first
• original
• inaugural
• earliest
• maiden
• foremost

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

This will enable you to place your initial bet to activate your preferred reward with bet365. —Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Nov. 2025

For great gifting and beyond, Ring Concierge is offering 30% sitewide on its vast assortment of diamond necklaces, studs, and bracelets, initial jewelry, engagement rings, wedding bands, and so much more. —Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 29 Nov. 2025

Noun

Needlepoint Stockings Needlepoint stockings hanging over the fireplace are a common sight in a Southern household during Christmas, especially those featuring personalized names or initials for each family member. —Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 29 Nov. 2025

Another immigrant, identified only by his initials, has also moved in with a family member after losing his apartment. —Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 25 Nov. 2025

Verb

At the recent summit in Anchorage, Alaska, with Trump, the Russian foreign minister arrived wearing a sweater emblazoned with the logo CCCP, the Cyrillic initials for the Soviet Union. —Nathan Hodge, CNN Money, 7 Nov. 2025

Then it’s initialed or signed in a different colored ink so people can’t knock ‘em off. —Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 29 Oct. 2025

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

Rhymes for initial

• judicial
• official
• simplicial
• surficial
• artificial
• beneficial
• cicatricial
• interstitial
• nonjudicial
• nonofficial
• prejudicial
• sacrificial

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