What does initial mean in English?

You can learn initial Pronunciation, Grammar & Synonyms in this most authoritative English Dictionary.

initial Meaning, Definition, Pronunciation, Grammar & Synonyms❤️

initial Meaning & Definition

En [ ɪˈnɪʃ.əl]
Us [ ɪˈnɪʃ.əl]

Meaning of initial In English

0 of or at the beginning:
- My initial surprise was soon replaced by delight.
- Initial reports say that seven people have died, though this has not yet been confirmed.
1 the first letter of a name, especially when used to represent the whole name:
- He wrote his initials, P.M.R., at the bottom of the page.
- Paul M. Reynolds refused to say what the initial "M" stood for.
- Fill in your first name, middle initial and last name.
- They carved their initials into a tree.
2 to write your initials on something:
- If you make any changes to the document, please initial them.
3 of or at the beginning; first:
- She failed her driving test on the initial try, but passed the next time.
- The president’s initial popularity soon disappeared.
4 the first letter of a name, esp. when used to represent a name
- They will put your initials on the luggage for another $15.
5 to write your initials on something:
- Please initial each document.
6 happening at the beginning:
- initial estimate/forecast Economists had expected GDP growth to be revised upwards from last month's initial estimate of 0.6%.
- initial charge/cost/fee The fund has an initial charge of 5.25%.
- Investors may not get back the full value of their initial investment.
7 to write the first letters of each of your names on an official document to show that you have read it and agree with it:
- Initial and date each page of the contract.
8 to discuss and agree to an arrangement with another organization, country, etc.:
- The two nations used the summit to initial a deal on energy cooperation.
9 the first letter of each of your names:
- He was dismissed for forging his manager's initials on the invoices.
- The insurance giant AIG's initials stand for American International Group.

More Definitions of initial

Examples of initial

The initial earthquake was followed by a series of aftershocks.
The doctor has made an initial diagnosis, but there'll be an additional examination by a specialist.
The project is only in the initial phase as yet, but it's looking quite promising.
As the plot unfolds, you gradually realize that all your initial assumptions were wrong.
The final technical report into the accident reinforces the findings of initial investigations.
His initials were engraved on the back of his watch.
Doesn't it cause problems, having the same initials as your father?
She always includes her middle initial in her signature.

More Examples of initial

Trends of initial

Grammar of initial

0 Initials

An initial is the first letter of a word. We often use initials to refer to the names of countries and organisations:
1 Acronyms

Acronyms are words which are formed from the first letters of other words, and which are pronounced as full words. Examples of acronyms:
2 Abbreviations, initials and acronyms
3 Abbreviations and letters

When we abbreviate a word or phrase, we shorten it. Abbreviations can be formed from the first letters of the word or phrase. In such cases, we normally say them by spelling out each letter: