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
initialed or initialled; initialing or initialling
i-ˈni-sh(ə-)liŋ
1
: to affix an initial to
2
: to authenticate or give preliminary approval to by affixing the initials of an authorizing representative
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
Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 29 May 2025
The Three Components: Decoding The P’s Financial plans can often follow a standard, cookie-cutter approach if advisors do not delve deeply enough during the initial discovery process or in ongoing discussions.
—Monish Verma, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
Barbie Latza Nadeau, CNN Money, 23 May 2025
The initials of the woman who called in that report match those of Retzlaff’s accuser.
—Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2025
Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 17 Feb. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for initial
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Adjective
The swimmer, later identified as Sean Barton, a visitor from New Mexico, received initial treatment at the scene before being transported to a nearby hospital for further evaluation.
—Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 29 May 2025
The Three Components: Decoding The P’s Financial plans can often follow a standard, cookie-cutter approach if advisors do not delve deeply enough during the initial discovery process or in ongoing discussions.
—Monish Verma, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
Noun
In recent years, tourists have been arrested for driving e-scooters and a Maserati down the Spanish Steps, carving initials into the Roman colosseum, and riding a moped into the ancient ruins of Pompeii.
—Barbie Latza Nadeau, CNN Money, 23 May 2025
The initials of the woman who called in that report match those of Retzlaff’s accuser.
—Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2025
Verb
One ballot was tossed out because it wasn’t initialed by an election judge, and Balich won the position via a lottery.
—Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 17 Feb. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for initial
Cite this Entry
“Initial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/initial. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
initial
2 of 3 noun1
: 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
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