DictionaryAI

initial

i-NISH-uhl/ɪˈnɪʃəl/

Noun pluralinitials

Verbinitials

5 meanings of initial

Practice

  1. 1
    firstadjective
    Happening or coming first, at the start of something.

    Like the first step you take at the start of a long walk.

    Our initial plan was to leave at dawn.

    The initial response from customers was very positive.

    UsagePut it before a noun: initial plan. To mean at first, say initially.

    Note
  2. 2
    first letternouncountable
    The first letter of a name or word, like J for the name John.

    Like a short nickname made of just the first letters of your name.

    Write the initial of your last name on the label.

    The towels were marked with her initials.

    UsageMost often plural: your initials. One letter is an initial.

    Note
  3. 3
    signverbtransitive
    To write your initials on something to show you have read or agreed to it.

    Like leaving a tiny stamp that says, "Yes, I checked this part."

    Please initial each page of the contract before you sign it.

    She initialed the form and handed it back to the clerk.

    UsageOften used with sign: initial each page, then sign at the end.

    Similarsign

    Note

Less common meanings

  1. 4
    decorated letternouncountable
    A large or fancy first letter at the start of a chapter or section.

    Like a big, decorated capital letter that announces the start of a story.

    The old book opened each chapter with a gold initial.

    A painted initial filled the corner of the first page.

    Note
  2. 5
    noun
    The consonant sound or sounds at the start of a syllable, before its main sound, usually a vowel.

Practice

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Origin

From Latin initialis, meaning 'of the beginning,' which came from initium 'a beginning.' It reached English through Middle French initial, or straight from Latin.

Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 3 facts