initiative
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
the ability to see what needs to be done and doing it without being told.
the power or opportunity to act or take charge before others do; personal agency and resourcefulness.
Simple“She showed great initiative by fixing the problem before her boss even noticed it.”
In context“The manager praised the intern for taking the initiative to reorganise the filing system during the holiday lull.”
UsageOften used with the verbs 'show' or 'take'.
SynonymsAntonymspassivityindifference - 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
a new plan or process started to achieve a goal or solve a problem.
an introductory act or step; a specific project or programme designed to address a particular issue.
Simple“The government launched a new initiative to help young people find jobs.”
In context“The university's latest sustainability initiative aims to reduce carbon emissions by forty percent over the next decade.”
UsageCommonly used in political and corporate contexts.
- 03 C1 Advanced
a process where citizens can propose a new law by getting enough signatures.
a procedure by which a specified number of voters may propose a statute or constitutional amendment and compel a popular vote on its adoption.
Simple“The citizens' initiative to ban plastic bags will be on the ballot this November.”
In context“In several western states, the initiative process allows the electorate to bypass the legislature and enact laws directly through popular vote.”
UsageTypically used as a countable noun in political science contexts.
Synonymsreferendumballot measure
Usage current initiative · technological initiative
“The initiative, which will have a budget of €3.8 million , will allow consumers to purchase vouchers worth up to €400 per person for use at participating shops.”
“Al-Burhan said the army was ready to engage with any serious peace initiative but would not accept what he called an ‘incomplete peace’.”
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.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.