ini·tial
i-ˈni-shəl 
1
: of or relating to the beginning : incipient
his initial reaction
2
: placed at the beginning : first
the initial word of the verse
initialed or initialled; initialing or initialling
i-ˈni-sh(ə-)liŋ
1
: to affix an initial to
2
: to authenticate or give preliminary approval to by affixing the initials of an authorizing representative
Synonyms
Examples of initial in a Sentence
Adjective
you've resolved my initial complaint, but now I have a new question
Noun
President Franklin D. Roosevelt's middle initial stood for “Delano.”
She put her initials on each page of the contract.
The initials F.D.R. stood for “Franklin Delano Roosevelt.”
Verb
She initialed each page of the contract.
Recent Examples on the Web
Chris Willman, Variety, 23 Nov. 2024
Did the summer tour exceed your initial expectations?
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 23 Nov. 2024
Lisa Lockwood, WWD, 22 Nov. 2024
Another tattoo is Beth’s initials, stylized as a lightning bolt.
—Gary Baum, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Nov. 2024
Alison Dirr, Journal Sentinel, 30 Oct. 2024
When those match, it’s marked approved the approver initials the envelope.
—Sarah D. Wire, USA TODAY, 28 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for initial 
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Adjective
That was my fault, in not sticking with the initial, less manicured way of presenting the feelings in those songs.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 23 Nov. 2024
Did the summer tour exceed your initial expectations?
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 23 Nov. 2024
Noun
For the opening, Ganni Madison Avenue will offer customers who purchase a Bou bag in-store complimentary embossing of their initials for a personalized touch, and will host complimentary personal shopping appointments throughout the weekend.
—Lisa Lockwood, WWD, 22 Nov. 2024
Another tattoo is Beth’s initials, stylized as a lightning bolt.
—Gary Baum, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Nov. 2024
Verb
The serial numbers on those seals are written on a form that is then initialed by the chief inspector and a member of the Board of Absentee Canvassers.
—Alison Dirr, Journal Sentinel, 30 Oct. 2024
When those match, it’s marked approved the approver initials the envelope.
—Sarah D. Wire, USA TODAY, 28 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for initial
Dictionary Entries Near initial
Cite this Entry
“Initial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/initial. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
initial
1 of 3 adjective
ini·tial
in-ˈish-əl
1
: of, relating to, or existing at the beginning : earliest
initial stages of a disease
2
: placed or standing at the beginning : first
the initial letter of a word
initial
2 of 3 noun1
: a first letter of a name
2
: a large letter beginning a text or paragraph
initial
3 of 3 verb
initialed or initialled; initialing or initialling
-ˈish-(ə-)liŋ
: to mark with initials or an initial
initial a handkerchief
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