What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
first
Example
I was the first person to arrive at the party. [first: adjective]
Example
She finished first in the race. [first: adverb]
initial
Example
Please write your initials on the bottom of the page. [initials: noun]
Example
We need to make some initial preparations before we can start the project. [initial: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
First is more common and versatile than initial, and can be used in a variety of contexts and levels of formality.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between first and initial?
Initial is more formal than first, and is often used in technical or academic writing to describe the starting point or preliminary stage of a process or project.
