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initiallyat the beginning; at first

Part of speech: ADVERB

Definition: at the beginning; at first

Pronunciation (IPA): /ɪˈnɪʃəli/

Example Sentences

  • Initially, he was afraid of cats, but now he has five of them.
  • The project was initially estimated to cost $1 million.
  • Initially, she thought learning Korean would be impossible, but now she's fluent.

initially

ADVERB

[/ɪˈnɪʃəli/]

at the beginning; at first

The team initially planned a different direction before discussing new ideas.
💡 Concept

The team initially planned a different direction before discussing new ideas.

The design initially looked simple before improvements were added. (INITIAL + AT FIRST = INITIALLY
→ initially means at the beginning stage or at first)
🧠 Mnemonic

The design initially looked simple before improvements were added. (INITIAL + AT FIRST = INITIALLY → initially means at the beginning stage or at first)

The idea initially seemed small but eventually grew successfully.
🎵 Rhyme

The idea initially seemed small but eventually grew successfully.

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ɪˈnɪʃəli/
🇬🇧 UK/ɪˈnɪʃəli/

🌳Etymology

Rootinitial
Suffix--ly

Origin

From Latin 'initialis' meaning 'of or pertaining to the beginning,' derived from 'initium' meaning 'beginning' or 'entrance.' The word entered English through Old French and Medieval Latin.

Breakdown

initial (from Latin initium 'beginning' + -alis 'of or pertaining to') + -ly (adverb suffix) = initially

🎵Rhyme

officiallyartificiallysuperficially
officially
artificially
superficially

🔗Collocations

initially thought
initially planned
initially reluctant
initially skeptical
initially successful
initially confused

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

Initially, he was afraid of cats, but now he has five of them.

The project was initially estimated to cost $1 million.

Initially, she thought learning Korean would be impossible, but now she's fluent.

😄 Fun example

Initially, the restaurant only served pizza, but now it's a five-star fine dining establishment.

📚Related Words

Synonyms

originallyat firstprimarilyfirstlyin the beginning

Antonyms

finallyeventuallyultimately

Related

initialinitiatebeginningstartcommence

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