rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryinitialAt the beginning
adjective / noun / verb

initial

ih-NISH-ul/ɪˈnɪʃl/

At the opening position in a sequence.

The initial domino tips into the second while the rest remain upright.

The initial fall in a domino chain: the first domino tips against the second while the long remaining sequence is still upright.
Etymology
initiLatinbeginning, entrance
+alLatinrelating to

Latin initium meant both an entrance or going in and a beginning. That connection pictures the beginning as entry into something, making initial describe what occurs at that opening stage.

In context

Nina Fogelman5:30
the initial days will maybe be a little awkward just sort of getting past that initial hi I'm Kyla
Pleasure and Philanthropy

More examples

  • My initial reaction was surprise, but then I understood.
  • She writes her initials on the notebook's cover.
  • Please initial each page before signing the last one.

Forms

initial · initials · initialed · initialing

initially adverb — At the beginning of a process.

Similar words

first
First can indicate rank as well as sequence.
opening
Opening emphasizes the start of an event or activity.