Definition of "initial" in English

adjective

1. Chronologically first, early; of or pertaining to the beginning, cause or origin.

   • Our initial admiration for their efficiency gave way to disgust about their methods.
   • The initial stages of a syndrome may differ vastly from the final symptoms.

2. Spatially first, placed at the beginning, in the first position; especially said of the first letter of a word.

   • The initial letter of names is usually printed with a capital letter.

noun

1. The first letter of a word or a name, especially of a person's full name (their initials).

2. (typography, calligraphy) A distinguished initial letter of a chapter or section of a document.

3. (phonology) onset, part of a syllable that precedes the syllable nucleus in phonetics and phonology.

verb

1. (transitive) To sign one's initial(s), as an abbreviated signature.

   • Please initial each page and sign the contract in full at the bottom.