B2adverb2K

Initially

UK /["/ɪˈnɪʃəli/"]/US /["/ɪˈnɪʃəli/"]/

Definition

at the beginning

In simple words: At first; in the beginning.

Examples

  • Initially, the system worked well.
  • More people had been infected than was initially thought.
  • He was initially reluctant to join the project.
  • The scientific work will be conducted, **at least initially**, at our laboratories.
  • The death toll was initially reported at around 250, but was later revised to 300.
  • Students were initially sceptical about the idea.
  • My contract is initially for three years.
  • The ban was initially opposed by the US.

Usage notes

Use 'initially' to describe something that happens at the start. It’s suitable for both written and spoken English but is more common in formal contexts.

Grammar pattern

standalone adverb

Memory hint

Think of 'initial' in the word—like the start or first letter of something.

Collocations

  • initially thought
  • initially planned
  • initially focused

Synonyms

  • at first
  • to begin with
  • originally
  • primarily

Antonyms

  • finally
  • ultimately
  • later

Common mistakes

  • Using 'initial' as an adverb instead of 'initially'.
  • Confusing 'initially' with 'ultimately' (which has the opposite meaning).
  • Placing 'initially' in the wrong position in a sentence.