Initially
/ɪˈnɪʃəli/
Definitions
At the beginning or start of something.
/ɪˈnɪʃəli/
At the beginning; in the first place.
Initially, the weather forecast predicted rain, but it cleared up later.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're starting a new game. 'Initially' means when you first begin, like when you roll the dice at the beginning of the game. At *initially*, you didn't know the rules, but now you do!
👶 For kids: When something starts, like the very first part.
More Examples
Initially, I was nervous about the presentation, but it went well.
Initially, the store was empty, but it filled up quickly.
How It's Used
"Initially, I thought it was a good idea."
"Initially, the project was budgeted at $10,000."
"Initially, the results were inconclusive."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
Antonyms
From Latin *initium* meaning "beginning" + -ally (adverb suffix). The Latin word itself derives from *inire* "to go in, enter, begin."
Used frequently in legal and scientific writing from the 19th century onwards to establish a starting point or condition.
Memory tip
Think of the 'initial' step in a process.
Word Origin
"beginning"