initial
/ɪˈnɪʃ.əl/(adjective)
AWL Sublist 3CEFR B2IELTS Band 7.0 - 9.0
Academic Definition
Existing or occurring at the beginning of a process, event, or sequence.
Key Academic Collocations
Click to copyWord Family & Derivatives
initialinitiallyinitializeinitiateinitiative
Lexical Alternatives (Synonyms)
preliminaryintroductoryearlycommencingnascent
Academic Sample Sentences in Context
"Despite substantial initial investments in renewable infrastructure, operational expenditures dropped significantly over time."
"During the initial stage of the manufacturing cycle, raw wood pulp undergoes extensive chemical bleaching."
"Initial public reactions to the congestion pricing scheme were skeptical, though approval rose after traffic eased."
IELTS Examiner Scoring Strategy (Lexical Resource)
Ideal for Task 1: 'Following an initial slump in 2012, sales figures rebounded steadily over the next five years.'