Initially: meaning, definitions and examples

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initially

[ɪˈnɪʃəli ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adverb}

in the beginning

at the beginning; in the first place; at first

Synonyms

at first, in the beginning, originally.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
initially	Ideal for describing the very start of a process or situation, often before a change or development occurs. Initially, the project seemed simple. She felt nervous initially, but soon gained confidence.
originally	Best used to describe the initial state or intention before changes occurred, often implying that something has been modified or evolved. Originally, the building was a school, but now it's a museum. He was originally from a small town.
at first	Used in less formal contexts and indicates the early phase before something else happens or a contrasting event occurs. At first, he didn’t like the new job, but he grew to love it. The class was confusing at first, but it got easier.
in the beginning	Typically used to describe the starting period of a longer story or process, often in narrative or descriptive contexts. In the beginning, the universe was a chaotic place. In the beginning, their relationship was full of excitement.

Examples of usage

Initially, I was hesitant to try sushi, but now it's one of my favorite foods.
Initially, the project seemed overwhelming, but with time it became more manageable.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

starting point

existing or occurring at the beginning

Synonyms

beginning, initial, starting.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
initially	Use 'initially' when you want to describe something that happened at the very start but may have changed later. It is often used in storytelling, reports, or any descriptions of events. Initially, the project seemed simple, but it became more complex as we progressed
initial	Use 'initial' to describe something that occurs at the start, often in a formal or technical context. It may refer to the first phase or first impression. The initial results of the study were promising
starting	Use 'starting' to focus on the point where something begins. It can also imply ongoing action and is more casual, commonly used in everyday conversation. We're starting the meeting at 10 AM sharp
beginning	Use 'beginning' to refer to the first part of something, such as a story, event, or period of time. It's more neutral and can be used in various formal or informal contexts. At the beginning of the book, the author introduces the main characters

Examples of usage

The initially proposed budget was too high, so we had to make adjustments.
The initially agreed upon meeting time had to be changed due to scheduling conflicts.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Latin 'initialis', meaning 'of or belonging to the beginning'.
It entered the English language in the late 19th century, indicating its relatively modern use.

Psychology

Humans often make decisions based on first impressions, known as the 'primacy effect'.
Initial experiences can shape our perceptions and judgments later on, which is why beginnings are so important.

Literature

In storytelling, the initial scene sets the tone and grabs the reader's attention.
Famous authors often lead with a compelling first line to hook readers, exemplifying the importance of beginnings.

Pop Culture

Many shows and movies start with a 'pilot' episode, which is their initial introduction to the audience.
The term 'initially' is often used in plot summaries to describe where a story begins before it develops.

Education

In learning, initial knowledge can heavily influence future learning pathways.
Teachers often present initial lessons in a way that builds curiosity for deeper exploration.

Translations

Translations of the word "initially" in other languages:

🇵🇹 inicialmente

🇮🇳 प्रारंभ में

🇩🇪 anfangs

🇮🇩 awalnya

🇺🇦 спочатку

🇵🇱 początkowo

🇯🇵 最初に (さいしょに)

🇫🇷 initialement

🇪🇸 inicialmente

🇹🇷 başlangıçta

🇰🇷 처음에 (cheoeum-e)

🇸🇦 في البداية

🇨🇿 zpočátku

🇸🇰 spočiaktku

🇨🇳 最初 (zuìchū)

🇸🇮 sprva

🇮🇸 upphaflega

🇰🇿 бастапқыда

🇬🇪 თავდაპირველად (tavdap'irvelad)

🇦🇿 əvvəlcə

🇲🇽 inicialmente

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #3,584, this word is part of upper-intermediate vocabulary. While not among the most basic terms, it appears often enough to be valuable for advanced communication.

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3581 attachment
3582 eleven
3583 suspension
3584 initially
3585 ladies
3586 worn
3587 describing
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