English pronunciation · Words Starting with I
Initial Pronunciation
Initial is pronounced i-NI-shuhl, IPA /ˌɪˈnɪʃəl/.
i-NI-shuhl
US /ˌɪˈnɪʃəl/ · UK /ɪˈnɪʃəl/
Syllables: i · NI · shuhl (3 syllables, stress on syllable 2)
adjective and noun: Happening at the very start of something, or the first letter of a name.
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Initial in a Sentence
- Our initial offer was turned down within an hour.
- Please sign here and add your initials in the box.
- The initial results look promising.
Common Mispronunciations of Initial
Not IN-i-shuhl
Strike the middle syllable, NI, and let the opening i shrink to a quick ih. A loud first syllable makes the word sound like a different one.
Not i-NI-tee-ahl
Read the ti as a single sh, which gives three beats rather than four.
Tip: Three syllables, i-NI-shuhl. The ti block sounds exactly like the sh of shut.
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