Initial

/ɪˈnɪʃəl/

Meaning & Definition

noun

The first letter of a person's name or a word.

My initials are J.S.

adjective

Existing or occurring at the beginning.

The initial phase of the project was focused on research.

Relating to the first letter of a name or word.

She signed her initial on the document.

Derived from Latin 'initialis', from 'initium' meaning 'beginning'.

initial public offering

The first sale of stock by a company to the public.

initial impressions

The first opinions formed about someone or something.

initial investment

The amount of money invested at the start of a project.

initiate

To begin or set going.

initiative

The ability to assess and initiate things independently.

initiation

The action of beginning something.

Just the first part of something.

We're just in the initial phase of planning.

The first letter abbreviation of a name.

I just go by my initials in the art world.