English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
adjective Uncommon

inaugural

ih-NAW-guh-ruhl

Inaugural (adjective) means relating to an inauguration, such as a speech given when someone takes office. Example: “The president's inaugural address focused on unity and rebuilding trust.”

adjective
1
Relating to an inauguration, such as a speech given when someone takes office.
"The president's inaugural address focused on unity and rebuilding trust."
2
Marking the first event of a new series, venture, or season.
"The stadium hosted its inaugural match in front of a sold-out crowd."

How to use inaugural

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishDescribes something that marks a formal beginning — a first speech, first game, or first event.

Common pairings
inaugural address inaugural speech inaugural season
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “inaugural” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The president's _____ address focused on unity and rebuilding trust.

Etymology

From French inaugural, from inaugurer, tracing back to Latin augurare, "to take omens."

Origin: Latin

Related words

Rhymes for inaugural

See all rhymes for inaugural →

Frequently asked questions

What does “inaugural” mean?

The word “inaugural” means relating to an inauguration, such as a speech given when someone takes office. In plain terms, describes something that marks a formal beginning — a first speech, first game, or first event.

How do you pronounce “inaugural”?

“Inaugural” is pronounced ih-NAW-guh-ruhl (/ɪˈnɔːɡəɹəl/ in IPA).

How do you use “inaugural” in a sentence?

Here is “inaugural” used in a sentence: “The president's inaugural address focused on unity and rebuilding trust.”

What part of speech is “inaugural”?

“Inaugural” is an adjective.

Where does the word “inaugural” come from?

The word “inaugural” comes from Latin. From French inaugural, from inaugurer, tracing back to Latin augurare, "to take omens.".

Is “inaugural” a common word?

“Inaugural” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “inaugural” have?

“Inaugural” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: relating to an inauguration, such as a speech given when someone takes office.

What is the difference between inaugural and first?

Inaugural specifically relates to an inauguration or marks the first event of a new series, venture, or season, while first is a more general word for anything that comes before all others. Inaugural carries a sense of ceremony or formal launch that plain 'first' lacks.

What is an inaugural address?

An inaugural address is the speech given by a person, often a president or other official, when they formally take office at their inauguration. It typically sets out their goals and vision for the role ahead.

Is inaugural only used for political events?

No. While inaugural is common in political contexts like an inaugural address, it is also used for any first event in a new series or venture, such as the inaugural flight of an airline or the inaugural season of a sports league.

People also searched

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial