First Known Use: 1526
Dictionary
1initial
adjective ini·tial \i-ˈni-shəl\
: occurring at the beginning of something
Full Definition of INITIAL
1
: of or relating to the beginning : incipient <his initial reaction>
2
: placed at the beginning : first <the initial word of the verse>
— ini·tial·ly \i-ˈni-sh(ə-)lē\ adverb
— ini·tial·ness \i-ˈni-shəl-nəs\ noun
See initial defined for English-language learners
See initial defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of INITIAL
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
Related to INITIAL
Rhymes with INITIAL
2initial
noun
: a first letter of a name
initials : the first letters of each of a person's names
Full Definition of INITIAL
1
a : the first letter of a name b 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
See initial defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of INITIAL
1627
Rhymes with INITIAL
3initial
verb
: to mark (something) with your initials
ini·tialed or ini·tialledini·tial·ing or ini·tial·ling \i-ˈni-sh(ə-)liŋ\
Full Definition of INITIAL
transitive verb
1
: to affix an initial to
2
: to authenticate or give preliminary approval to by affixing the initials of an authorizing representative
See initial defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of INITIAL
circa 1864
INITIAL Defined for Kids
1initial
noun ini·tial \i-ˈni-shəl\
Definition of INITIAL for Kids
1
: the first letter of a name
2
: a large letter beginning a text or a paragraph
2initial
adjective
Definition of INITIAL for Kids
: occurring at or marking the beginning <an initial effort> <the initial word>
— ini·tial·ly \-shə-lē\ adverb
3initial
verb
ini·tialed or ini·tialledini·tial·ing or ini·tial·ling
Definition of INITIAL for Kids
: to mark with the first letter or letters of a name
Learn More About INITIAL
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: initial conditionPrevious Word in the Dictionary: inisleAll Words Near: initial
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up initial? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).