initiatory

/ɪˈnɪʃ.i.ə.tər.i/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪˈnɪʃ.i.ə.tɔːr.i/ (ame, ipa) · /i-ˈni-sh(ē-)ə-ˌtȯr-ē/ (ame, mw)

initiatory — adjective

  • initiatorypositive
  • more initiatorycomparative
  • most initiatorysuperlative

1. describing a ceremony, lesson, or experience that brings a person into a group,

1.形容詞C2
釋義

describing a ceremony, lesson, or experience that brings a person into a group, faith, or new field of practice for the first time.

例句

The temple holds initiatory rites for new monks every spring.

attributive: initiatory + rites/ceremony

Nellie sat through the law firm's initiatory week of compliance training.

attributive: initiatory + week/period of training

同義詞
反義詞
  • advanced

    for stages that follow the first one

文法句型

initiatory + noun

用法筆記

Almost always used attributively before a noun describing a ceremony, period, or activity (rite, training, week, tour, session). Rarely appears after 'be'.

常見錯誤

❌The week was initiatory.
✅It was an initiatory week.
💡the adjective normally sits before the noun, not after 'be'.

2. describing an action, move, or step that sets a larger process in motion.

2.形容詞C2
釋義

describing an action, move, or step that sets a larger process in motion.

例句

Anong's email was the initiatory step toward a city-wide recycling plan.

attributive: initiatory + step/move

The mayor's speech served as the initiatory act of the new housing programme.

attributive: initiatory + act/move

同義詞
  • opening

    everyday register; same idea of starting something

  • preliminary

    more about preparation; 'initiatory' implies the process has truly begun

反義詞

文法句型

initiatory + noun

用法筆記

Distinguish from sense 1: this sense marks the kickoff of a process or project, with no implication that a person is being brought into a group. Subject nouns are typically abstract (step, move, act, vote, donation, work).

常見錯誤

❌Her donation was initiatory the campaign.
✅Her donation was the initiatory act of the campaign.
💡keep the noun headword (act, move, step) after the adjective.