SINCE 1828

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

1

inceptive

play

noun in·cep·tive \ in-ˈsep-tiv \

Definition of inceptive

:an inchoative verb

First Known Use of inceptive

1612

Other Grammar and Linguistics Terms

ablaut, allusion, anacoluthon, diacritic, gerund, idiom, infinitive, metaphor, semiotics, simile

2

inceptive

adjective

Definition of inceptive

1 :inchoative 2

2 :of or relating to a beginning

—

inceptively

adverb

Examples of inceptive in a Sentence

only just recently gained an inceptive understanding of the overwhelming vastness of the universe

First Known Use of inceptive

1656

inceptive Synonyms

Synonyms

aborning, budding, nascent, inchoate, 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

Learn More about inceptive

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for inceptive

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up inceptive? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

WORD OF THE DAY

yeasty

play

of yeast or being unsettled or frivolous

BROWSE DICTIONARY

incept

inception

inceptive

inceptor

incertain

Test Your Vocabulary

Merriam-Webster's New Words Quiz—Fall 2017 Edition!

Which of the following is a new sense of the word bunny?

Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

TAKE THE QUIZ

SCRABBLE® Sprint

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Words at Play

alt-59c52d6ee2f72

Breathing Life Into 'Inspire'

The word's origins are quite literal

alt-59c4207ecf106

Let's Talk 'Tea'

Spill it, sip it: just make it hot.

8 Words and Phrases from Boxing and Wrestling

Common terms that come from boxing and wrestling

alt-59c2960017c94

The Ambiguity of Pushing 'Up' and 'Back'

When you push a meeting, where does it go?

Ask the Editors

video-title-words-of-the-year-1066

Words of the Year: 1066

Or, Why Pig Meat is Called 'Pork' and Cow Meat is Called 'Beef'

How Often Is 'Biweekly'?

Don't get us started on 'bimonthly'

video-irregardless-grammar-peeve-blend-of-the-synonyms-irrespective-and-regardless

Irregardless

It is in fact a real word (but that doesn't mean you should use it).

video-moose-goose-weird-plurals

Weird Plurals

One goose, two geese. One moose, two... moose. What's up with that?

Word Games

young-plant-shoots

Merriam-Webster's New Words Quiz—Fall 2017 Edition!

You're going to have to memorize the dictionary again.

Take the quiz

stylized-drawing-of-woman-pole-vaulting-across-gap-to-get-trophy

Challenging Vocabulary Quiz Returns!

No tricks, just difficult words.

Take the quiz

Name That Thing

Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

Take the quiz

SCRABBLE® Sprint

SCRABBLE® Sprint

SCRABBLE® fans, sharpen your skills!

Play the game

Examples: inceptive in a Sentence