incipient
gb/ɪnsˈɪpiənt/ us/ɪnsˈɪpiənt/
C1
English
kezdeti, kialakuló, kezdődő
C1
FORMAL
1
Usage pattern:
incipient [problem/change/crisis/movement]
The talks collapsed at the first sign of incipient conflict between the two sides.
A tárgyalások összeomlottak a két fél közötti kialakuló konfliktus első jelére.
She noticed an incipient trend toward remote work long before it became mainstream.
Jóval azelőtt észrevette a távmunka felé mutató kialakuló tendenciát, hogy az általánossá vált volna.
The company moved quickly to address incipient problems in its supply chain.
Learner examples
There were incipient signs of trouble.
A baj kezdeti jelei mutatkoztak.
We are in the incipient stage of the project.
A projekt kezdeti szakaszában vagyunk.
Common mistake:
Often used in more formal writing; learners sometimes use it where simple words like 'early' or 'beginning' sound more natural.
Meaning
just beginning to develop
Collocations
incipient stages
|incipient problem
|incipient crisis
|incipient conflict
|incipient rebellion
|incipient trend
|incipient change
|incipient movement
|incipient recovery
|incipient decline
Synonyms
emerging (suggests becoming noticeable or visible.)
|
nascent (often used for new ideas, organizations, or industries; slightly more academic.)
|
early (more general and common; less formal.)
|
developing (emphasizes progress over time, not just the start.)
Antonyms
advanced (at a late stage of development.)
|
mature (fully developed or established.)
|
established (already formed and stable.)
Themes
general_english
|change
|development
Definition
starting to happen; just beginning
In the early stages of development; beginning to happen or appear.
C2
TECHNICAL
2
kezdődő
B1
Usage pattern:
incipient [disease/condition]
The scan showed an incipient cataract in his left eye.
A vizsgálat a bal szemében kezdődő szürkehályogot mutatott.
Doctors treated the incipient infection before it spread.
Az orvosok még azelőtt kezelték a kezdődő fertőzést, hogy az továbbterjedt volna.
The symptoms were consistent with incipient dementia.
Learner examples
The doctor said it was an incipient infection.
Az orvos azt mondta, hogy kezdődő fertőzésről van szó.
Common mistake:
Common in medical contexts; avoid using it for everyday symptoms unless you want a clinical tone.
Meaning
showing first signs of illness
Collocations
incipient dementia
|incipient cataract
|incipient infection
|incipient tuberculosis
|incipient pneumonia
|incipient diabetes
|incipient decay
|incipient caries
Synonyms
early-stage (clear and common in health contexts.)
|
initial (focuses on the very first point in a process.)
Antonyms
late-stage (describes a condition that has progressed far.)
|
advanced (suggests significant progression or severity.)
Themes
health
|medicine
Definition
starting to develop (used especially for illness)
Beginning to show the first signs of a disease or medical condition.
Grammar
Dictionary form
incipient
IPA
GB/ɪnsˈɪpiənt/
US/ɪnsˈɪpiənt/
Syllables & stress
in - cip - i - ent (4 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (cip)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: incipient
Word family
Core family
inception
noun C1
Advanced or less common
incipiently
adverb
Expressions
in its incipient stages
1/ˈɪn ˈɪts ɪnsˈɪpiənt stˈeɪd͡ʒɪz/
fixed phrase
formal
at the very beginning
at the start; in the early stage
Examples
- The technology is still in its incipient stages.
- The plan failed while it was in the incipient stages of development.
- They contained the dispute while it was still in its incipient stages.
Learner examples
- The idea is in its incipient stages.