Initial
ɪˈnɪʃəl
Definitions
The first letter of a name or a word.
ɪˈnɪʃəl
The first letter of a name or word.
The company used their initials on the logo.
💡 Simply: It is just the letters that are used at the beginning of names.
👶 For kids: A letter at the start of a name.
More Examples
She signed the document with her initials.
The initials 'J.R.R.' stand for John Ronald Reuel Tolkien.
How It's Used
"Please provide your initials and signature on this document."
"He carved his initials into the tree."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
Idioms & expressions
Initial public offering (IPO)
The first time a company sells shares to the public.
"The company's IPO was highly successful."
Initial conditions
The state of a system at the start of an observation or calculation
"The initial conditions of the experiment were carefully controlled."
From Middle French *initial*, from Latin *initialis* (“of or belonging to the beginning”), from *initium* (“a beginning”).
The word 'initial' has been used since the 16th century, reflecting a Latin root related to beginnings and the start of processes.
Memory tip
Think of your name - the letters you use.
Word Origin
"beginning"