- happening at the beginning; first
- There is an initial payment of £60 followed by ten instalments of £25.
- The government will make an initial investment of $ 4.7 billion in the company.
- in the initial stages (= at the beginning) of the campaign
- an initial phase/period
- an initial assessment/investigation/report
- My initial reaction was to decline the offer.
- Her initial response was one of anger.
Extra Examples- After some initial hesitation, teachers seem to have accepted the new system.
- After the initial surprise I got to like the place.
- By 1960 the initial optimism had evaporated.
- His initial surge of euphoria was quickly followed by dismay.
- Initial failure was followed by unexpected, if modest, success.
- It is the initial preparation that takes the time.
- My initial scepticism was replaced with respectful admiration.
- When the initial shock had worn off, I got used to the situation.
- the initial outlay
- the initial planning
Word Originearly 16th cent.: from Latin initialis, from initium ‘beginning’, from inire ‘go in’, from in- ‘into’ + ire ‘go’.Definitions on the go
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initial