initialize

C2+ Topic:Actions & Processes

US /ɪˈnɪʃəlaɪz/ UK /ɪˈnɪʃəlaɪz/ See IPA manual

verb

Meanings

1

verb
to set to a starting state; to prepare a device or variable for use

The program failed to initialize the array before reading it.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 verb · to set to a starting state;... initiate set prepareresetstart configure

Opposites

finalize terminate

Word family

Derived forms initializationinitializer

Related forms initial initiate initiationinitio

Etymology

From initial (from Latin initialis 'incipient', from initium 'a beginning', from inire 'to go in', from in- 'into' + ire 'to go') + the verbal suffix -ize.

in- Latin ire Latin *ey- Proto-Indo-European

View etymology graph ->

Topics

Actions & Processes Word Formation & Derivatives

# initialize

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2+
**Part of speech:** verb
**IPA (US):** ɪˈnɪʃəlaɪz
**IPA (UK):** ɪˈnɪʃəlaɪz

## Meanings
1. to set to a starting state; to prepare a device or variable for use

## Examples
- The program failed to initialize the array before reading it.

## Synonyms
- initiate
- set
- prepare
- reset
- start
- configure

## Antonyms
- finalize
- terminate

## Derived Forms
- initialization
- initializer

## Related Forms
- initial
- initiate
- initiation
- initio

## Roots and Affixes
- Root: in-
- Root: ire
- Root: *ey-

## Etymology
From initial (from Latin initialis 'incipient', from initium 'a beginning', from inire 'to go in', from in- 'into' + ire 'to go') + the verbal suffix -ize.

## AI Etymology
Initialize comes from initial (from Latin initialis 'incipient', from initium 'a beginning', from inire 'to go in', from in- 'into' + ire 'to go') + the verbal suffix -ize. The suffix is part of the word's derivational shape, marking the final grammatical or semantic role while the base supplies the central meaning. As a verb, it means "to set to a starting state; to prepare a device or variable for use", so the modern sense keeps the older action or relation visible. Relevant historical forms include Latin in-, Latin ire, and Proto-Indo-European *ey-. Derivative forms include initialization, initializer; related words include initial, initiate, initiation, initio.

## Topics
- Actions & Processes
- Word Formation & Derivatives

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initialize

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