initially
gb/ɪnˈɪʃəli/ us/ɪnˈɪʃəli/
B1
English
~ 2300
kezdetben, először, eredetileg
B1
1
Usage pattern:
[someone/something] initially [verb]
Initially, I wasn’t sure if I would like the job.
Kezdetben nem voltam biztos benne, hogy tetszeni fog a munka.
The project was initially scheduled to finish in June.
A projekt befejezését eredetileg júniusra ütemezték.
Initially, they lived in a small apartment before buying a house.
She initially refused the offer but later changed her mind.
Learner examples
Initially, I was nervous.
Kezdetben ideges voltam.
We initially met at school.
Először az iskolában találkoztunk.
He initially wanted to be a doctor.
The store was initially small.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'initially' with 'at first sight', which refers to a first impression, not the start of a process.
Meaning
at the start of something
Collocations
initially planned
|initially thought
|initially intended
|initially expected
Synonyms
at first (More informal and common in everyday speech; otherwise similar in meaning.)
|
originally (Often used for describing how something was at the very start before any changes.)
Antonyms
finally (Refers to the end of a process, opposite to the beginning.)
|
ultimately (Focuses on the final outcome rather than the starting point.)
Themes
time
|sequencing
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
At the start of something, before things change.
At the beginning of a process, event, or period of time, before later changes occur.
Grammar
Dictionary form
initially
IPA
GB/ɪnˈɪʃəli/
US/ɪnˈɪʃəli/
Syllables & stress
ini - tially (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (tially)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: initially
- Plural: initiallies
Word family
Forms
initiallies
noun
Core family
initial
adjective B1
Related words
initiate
verb B2
initiative
noun B2
Advanced or less common
initiation
noun B2
initialize
verb
Expressions
initially intended
1/ɪnˈɪʃəli ɪntˈɛndɪd/
fixed phrase
meant from the start
Meant or wanted at the start.
Examples
- I initially intended to study law, but I changed my mind.
- The meeting was initially intended to last one hour.
initially planned
1/ɪnˈɪʃəli plˈænd/
fixed phrase
planned from the start
Decided or arranged at the beginning.
Examples
- The trip was initially planned for March but got delayed.
- The event was initially planned as a small gathering.
initially thought
1/ɪnˈɪʃəli θˈɔt/
fixed phrase
believed from the start
Believed or considered at the start.
Examples
- It was more difficult than I initially thought.
- The movie was better than I initially thought it would be.