Initially means at the beginning or at first, before things changed. It describes the early stage of an event or process.
It is formed from “initial” plus the adverb ending “-ly.” “Initial” itself comes from Latin “initialis,” from “initium” (beginning).
“Initially” is a small time-travel word—it tells you, “We’re going back to how things started.” Writers use it to signal that what comes next is not the full story, just the opening scene. It quietly prepares you for change.
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