Words / B1

i-NISHL/ɪˈnɪʃl/

Initial means happening at the beginning: an initial reaction; initial results; the initial cost. First is the everyday word; original stresses the earliest form, not just the start of a process. Initially is the adverb: initially we planned to drive. Initials (noun, plural) are the first letters of a name: sign your initials. Do not write “in initial” — use initial + noun, or initially.

Meaning

Happening at the beginning.

Examples

• “My initial reaction was surprise.”
• “The initial results of the study look promising.”
• “The initial cost was higher than we expected.”

Good to know

an initial reaction / cost / result. Adverb: initially. Everyday: first. Earliest form: original. Name letters: initials.

Near in meaning

first

New