initiative

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C1 — Advanced

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun readiness to embark on bold new ventures
  2. noun the first of a series of actions
  3. adjective serving to set in motion

Etymology

From French initiative, from Medieval Latin *initiativus (“serving to initiate”), from Late Latin initiare (“to begin, to initiate”), from Latin initium (“beginning”), from ineo (“enter, begin”). By surface analysis, initiate + -ive.

In classic literature

Synonyms

enterprise, enterprisingness, go-ahead

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