initial

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

Synonyms of initial

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

Examples of initial in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Just seconds later, local residents recorded on their cellphones the initial stages of the Eaton fire, burning at the base of the tower, known as M16T1. —Tony Saavedra, Daily News, 10 June 2026

The fund had been halved to $500,000 in the mayor’s initial budget message, with the remainder reserved for emergency allocation only if federal enforcement activity spiked. —Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 10 June 2026

The school official added that the University of Kentucky Police Department was working with the Lexington-Fayette County Coroner, and an initial investigation did not indicate that foul play was involved. —Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 10 June 2026

Following their initial practice, the Patriots will hold daily, non-padded practices through Tuesday, July 28. —Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 9 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

1526, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing initial

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

Rhymes for initial

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

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