Initially Definition, Usage & Examples

Meaning 1：at first (initially)

initially 🔊

/ɪˈnɪʃəli/

adv.

It means ‘at the very beginning’, the first stage of something, before other things happen.

Timeline graphic showing initially as the first stage

at first 🔊

➕

/æt fɜːrst/

adv.

It refers to the first stage or point in a process or time period; at the beginning.

📁 Category：Time & Dates 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'initium' (beginning) + '-ally' adverb suffix, via Old French 'initial'.

💡 Mnemonic

Think 'in-it-ially' — the first moment you are 'in it' at the start of a journey.

📖 Example

He found French initially difficult, but he quickly got used to it. 🔊 At first, he found French difficult, but he quickly got used to it.

🔗 Collocations

initially planned – planned at the beginning

initially thought – thought at first

initially surprised – surprised at the outset

🔄 Synonyms

at first (phrase) – at the beginning of a situation

first (adv.) – before anything else

originally (adv.) – in the beginning, before changes

🚫 Antonyms

finally (adv.) – at the end of a process

eventually (adv.) – after a long time or later

later (adv.) – at a subsequent time

🌱 Derivatives

initial (adj.) – of or relating to the beginning

firstly (adv.) – used to introduce the first point

initiate (v.) – to cause something to begin

📖 Cultural Story

Derived from Latin 'initium' meaning 'beginning', from 'inire' (to go in). Used in English since the 16th century to mark the first point in time or sequence.