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
Jakob Rodgers, The Mercury News, 10 Nov. 2024
On Thursday, the market will receive initial jobless claims data, offering a snapshot of the labor market’s health, along with the Producer Price Index (PPI) and core PPI data.
—Vinamrata Chaturvedi, Quartz, 10 Nov. 2024
Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2024
The brand will also soon launch a range of hair accessories including hair clips and pins, that can be engraved with initials, giving Buly’s popular lip balms and soaps a run for their money as go-to Christmas gifts.
—Sandra Salibian, WWD, 5 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
The trust would be funded in installments over several years, beginning with an initial installment of about $65 million and growing by $10 million to $13 million for the next several years.
—Jakob Rodgers, The Mercury News, 10 Nov. 2024
On Thursday, the market will receive initial jobless claims data, offering a snapshot of the labor market’s health, along with the Producer Price Index (PPI) and core PPI data.
—Vinamrata Chaturvedi, Quartz, 10 Nov. 2024
Noun
Jimmy even gets guilted into a matching tat of Tia’s initials.
—Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2024
The brand will also soon launch a range of hair accessories including hair clips and pins, that can be engraved with initials, giving Buly’s popular lip balms and soaps a run for their money as go-to Christmas gifts.
—Sandra Salibian, WWD, 5 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 22 Nov. 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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