As an adjective:
* The initial response to the new product was positive. (Describing the first reaction)
* My initial plan was to travel to Europe, but I changed my mind. (Describing the first idea)
* The initial cost of the project was estimated to be $10,000. (Describing the first cost)
As a noun:
* The initials "J.S. Bach" stand for Johann Sebastian Bach. (Referring to the first letters of a name)
* Please enter your initials on the form. (Referring to the first letters of a person's name)
* We need to get a good understanding of the company's financials before making any major decisions. (Referring to the first part of something)
In a phrase:
* Initially, I was hesitant to try it. (Meaning at the beginning)
* The initial public offering (IPO) of the company was a success. (Referring to the first time a company is offered to the public)
Remember that "initial" refers to the beginning or the first part of something. It can be used in a variety of contexts to describe something that is starting, original, or preliminary.