verb

initiate

ih-NIHSH-ee-ayt

verb

To start something, especially a formal process.

"The company initiated an investigation into the complaint."

"Talks were initiated between the two governments last week."

To formally introduce someone into a group, often through a ritual or ceremony.

"New members are initiated into the fraternity during a private ceremony."

noun

Someone who has just been admitted into a group, or who is well-versed in a particular subject.

"As an initiate, she was still learning the group's traditions."

"Only a true initiate would understand the reference."

How to Use Initiate

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo kick something off officially, or to formally bring someone into a group.

Common mistake

As a verb it's stressed "in-ISH-ee-ate"; as a noun/adjective it's often pronounced with a shorter ending, "in-ISH-ee-it" — the spelling doesn't change but the sound does.

Common pairings

initiate proceedings initiate talks initiate a member

Word Forms

more initiate comparative, initiated past tense, initiates plural, initiates singular, most initiate superlative

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The company _____ an investigation into the complaint.

Etymology

From Latin initiatus, past participle of initiare, "to begin or induct," from initium, "a beginning."

Antonyms

pause halt suspend discontinue finish conclude complete stop

Related Words

abandon quarter accomplish achieve kill finish complete quit

Rhymes for initiate

ate date rate mate fate gate hate pate late Nate Kate cate

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