What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
initialized
Example
The computer needs to be initialized before it can be used. [initialized: verb]
Example
The programmer initialized the new variable with a default value. [initialized: past tense]
configure
Example
I need to configure my email settings to receive messages on my phone. [configure: verb]
Example
The IT team configured the network to improve performance. [configured: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Configure is more commonly used than initialized in everyday language. Configure is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while initialized is less common and typically used in technical or programming contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between initialized and configure?
Both initialized and configure can be used in formal and informal contexts, but initialized may be perceived as more technical or specialized, while configure is more versatile and can be used in a wider range of formality levels.