initiative
ih-NIHSH-uh-tihv
Initiative (noun) means a new plan or effort aimed at solving a problem or achieving a goal. Example: “The city launched a new initiative to reduce plastic waste.”
noun
1
A new plan or effort aimed at solving a problem or achieving a goal.
"The city launched a new initiative to reduce plastic waste."
"The government's job-training initiative created thousands of new roles."
"The school started a reading initiative to help children enjoy books."
2
The ability to act and make decisions on your own, without being told what to do.
"She showed real initiative by fixing the problem before anyone noticed."
"Take the initiative and ask your manager for more responsibility."
"He had little initiative and always waited to be told what to do."
How to use initiative
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither a fresh plan to tackle something, or the personal drive to act without waiting for instructions.
Common pairings
take the initiative
a new initiative
show initiative
launch an initiative
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Word forms
- Plural
- initiatives
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The city launched a new _____ to reduce plastic waste.
Etymology
From French initiative, ultimately from Latin initium, "a beginning."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for initiative
See all rhymes for initiative →Frequently asked questions
What does “initiative” mean?
The word “initiative” means a new plan or effort aimed at solving a problem or achieving a goal. In plain terms, either a fresh plan to tackle something, or the personal drive to act without waiting for instructions.
How do you pronounce “initiative”?
“Initiative” is pronounced ih-NIHSH-uh-tihv (/ɪˈnɪʃ.ə.tɪv/ in IPA).
How do you use “initiative” in a sentence?
Here is “initiative” used in a sentence: “The city launched a new initiative to reduce plastic waste.”
What part of speech is “initiative”?
“Initiative” is a noun.
Where does the word “initiative” come from?
The word “initiative” comes from Latin. From French initiative, ultimately from Latin initium, "a beginning.".
Is “initiative” a common word?
“Initiative” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “initiative” have?
“Initiative” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a new plan or effort aimed at solving a problem or achieving a goal.
What is the difference between an initiative and a project?
A project is a planned piece of work with a defined start and end, while an initiative is a broader new effort launched to tackle a problem or reach a goal, and it may contain several projects. Initiatives tend to signal intent and direction more than a single fixed deliverable.
What is the difference between initiative and incentive?
Initiative is either a new plan or the drive to act on your own, whereas an incentive is something that motivates or rewards a person to act. An incentive encourages action, while initiative is the action or the plan itself.
What are common collocations with "initiative"?
Frequent pairings include "take the initiative," "show initiative," "use your initiative," "launch an initiative," and "peace initiative." The first three relate to independent action, while the last two describe organised efforts.
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