An initiative is an important act or statement that is intended to solve a problem.
Government initiatives to help young people have been inadequate.
There's talk of a new peace initiative.
Synonyms: plan, deal, proposal, act More Synonyms of initiative
2. singular noun
In a fight or contest, if you have the initiative, you are in a better position than your opponents to decide what to do next.
We have the initiative; we intend to keep it.
He paused enough to consider the options but never so long as to lose the initiative.
Synonyms: advantage, start, lead, upper hand More Synonyms of initiative
3. uncountable noun
If you have initiative, you have the ability to decide what to do next and to do it, without needing other people to tell you what to do.
She was disappointed by his lack of initiative.
...workers who are able to sort out problems on their own initiative.
Synonyms: enterprise, drive, push [informal], energy More Synonyms of initiative
4.
See take the initiative
initiative in British English
(ɪˈnɪʃɪətɪv, -ˈnɪʃətɪv)
noun
1.
the first step or action of a matter; commencing move
he took the initiative
a peace initiative
2.
the right or power to begin or initiate something
he has the initiative
3.
the ability or attitude required to begin or initiate something
4. government
a.
the right or power to introduce legislation, etc, in a legislative body
b.
the procedure by which citizens originate legislation, as in many American states and Switzerland
5. on one's own initiative
adjective
6.
of or concerning initiation or serving to initiate; initiatory
Derived forms
initiatively (inˈitiatively)
adverb
initiative in American English
(ɪˈnɪʃətɪv; ɪˈnɪʃiətɪv)
adjective
1.
of, or having the nature of, initiation; introductory; initial
noun
2.
the action of taking the first step or move; responsibility for beginning or originating
3.
the characteristic of originating new ideas or methods; ability to think and act without being urged; enterprise
4.
a.
the right of a legislature to introduce new legislation on some specified matter
b.
the right of a group of citizens to introduce a matter for legislation either tothe legislature or directly to the voters
c.
the procedure by which such matters are introduced, usually by a petition signed by a specified percentage of the voters
Word origin
ML initiativus
COBUILD Collocations
initiative
environmental initiative
government initiative
green initiative
policy initiative
Examples of 'initiative' in a sentence
initiative
There is a perception that green initiatives cost money.
Computing (2010)
An environment minister announced a new initiative yesterday to help bees by planting flowers that thrive in the winter.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
You will be astounded to hear the initiative was taken by an entrepreneur wishing to boost the sale of postage stamps.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Washington's peace initiative was more altruistic.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
All the crew had to do was take the initiative and push the nose of the plane downward to get their speed up.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
This is addressing firms that want to expand their supercomputer clusters, and also want to be part of a green initiative.
Computing (2010)
A new initiative hopes so.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Companies putting together enterprise architecture initiatives should take some tips from their design team, say research firm Gartner.
Computing (2010)
The rebels have said they lack the weapons they need to regain the initiative in the war.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The initiatives are to begin in the new year.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
There will also be initiatives to help students to build careers in the sector.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The rally car enthusiast has also shown he is capable of taking the initiative when it matters.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
There may be some sound reasons for the scepticism about green initiatives.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Take the initiative and set them straight.
The Sun (2015)
Their willingness to seize the initiative sets them apart from their contemporaries.
Kiam, Victor Going For It!: How to Succeed As an Entrepreneur (1986)
We need a programme of initiatives and of actions.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
There are many new initiatives raising awareness of this tragic disease.
The Sun (2012)
These initiatives are the first steps in that process.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
He also begins an initiative to make antibiotics from jungle plants.
The Sun (2012)
Interest in green electricity has increased with the help of government initiatives.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The questions come against a background of public money being lavished on green initiatives.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
And it needs effort to take the initiative.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
The network has also inspired employees to seize the initiative.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The speech is an attempt to regain the initiative after criticism of his handling of a shadow cabinet reshuffle.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
We were convinced that our government must intend some diplomatic initiative which would save the situation before it became catastrophic.
Max Hastings Nemesis: The Battle for Japan, 194445 (2007)
Did it signal an endorsement of the Arab peace initiative?
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
To turn the tide, the previous government introduced a brilliant initiative.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Game campaign, an initiative intended to promote better understanding between players and officials.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
It is irrelevant which party proposed which initiative; what matters is the common underlying approach.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
GOVERNMENT policy initiatives sometimes appear to be one step forward and one step back.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
The move comes amid fears that neither government action nor industry initiatives are bringing about the regulatory reform or voluntary action needed for a sustainable future.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The initiatives introduced with the help of the Co-operative College proved transformational.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
In other languages
initiative
British English: initiative /ɪˈnɪʃɪətɪv; -ˈnɪʃətɪv/ NOUN
An initiative is an important act intended to solve a problem.
There's talk of a new peace initiative.
American English: initiative
Arabic: مُبَادَرَةٌ
Brazilian Portuguese: iniciativa
Chinese: 动议
Croatian: inicijativa
Czech: iniciativa
Danish: initiativ
Dutch: initiatief
European Spanish: iniciativa
Finnish: aloite
French: initiative
German: Initiative
Greek: πρωτοβουλία
Italian: iniziativa
Japanese: イニシアチブ
Korean: 개시
Norwegian: initiativ
Polish: inicjatywa
European Portuguese: iniciativa
Romanian: inițiativă
Russian: инициатива
Latin American Spanish: iniciativa
Swedish: initiativ
Thai: การริเริ่ม
Turkish: girişim inisiyatif
Ukrainian: ініціатива
Vietnamese: sáng kiến
All related terms of 'initiative'
initiative test
a test to see how resourceful someone is and their ability to decide what to do and when to do it
green initiative
An initiative is an important act or statement that is intended to solve a problem .
peace initiative
the first or opening move in negotiating an end to conflict or negotiating peace
policy initiative
An initiative is an important act or statement that is intended to solve a problem .
government initiative
An initiative is an important act or statement that is intended to solve a problem .
environmental initiative
An initiative is an important act or statement that is intended to solve a problem .
take the initiative
If you take the initiative in a situation , you are the first person to act, and are therefore able to control the situation.
on one's own initiative
without being prompted
Private Finance Initiative
(in Britain) a government scheme to encourage private investment in public projects
Strategic Defense Initiative
→ the Strategic Defense Initiative
the Strategic Defense Initiative
the proposal to have a ground- and space-based systems to protect against nuclear attack
Star Wars
(in the US) a proposed system of artificial satellites armed with lasers to destroy enemy missiles in space
Chinese translation of 'initiative'
initiative
(ɪˈnɪʃətɪv)
n
(c) (= idea, measure) 倡议(議) (chàngyì) (个(個), gè)
(u) (= resourcefulness) 主动(動)性 (zhǔdòng xìng)
to take the initiative采(採)取主动(動) (cǎiqǔ zhǔdòng)
to act on one's own initiative主动(動)采(採)取行动(動) (zhǔdòng cǎiqǔ xíngdòng)
to have the initiative掌握主动(動)权(權) (zhǎngwò zhǔdòngquán)
to have the initiative to do sth有做某事的主动(動)性 (yǒu zuò mǒushì de zhǔdòngxìng)
1 (noun)
Definition
a first step
There's talk of a new peace initiative.
Synonyms
plan
She met her creditors to propose a plan for making repayments.
deal
proposal
the government's proposals to abolish free health care
act
action
The government is taking emergency action to deal with the crisis.
measure
He said stern measures would be taken against the rioters.
scheme
a private pension scheme
strategy
the basic principles of my strategy
technique
suggestion
I have lots of suggestions for the park's future.
procedure
He did not follow the correct procedure in applying for a visa.
gambit
They said the plan was no more than a clever political gambit.
2 (noun)
Definition
the right or power to initiate something
We have the initiative and we intend to keep it.
Synonyms
advantage
Men still have an economic position of advantage over women.
start
lead
He now has a lead of 30 points.
upper hand
3 (noun)
Definition
enterprise
He was disappointed by her lack of initiative.
Synonyms
enterprise
His trouble is that he lacks enterprise.
drive
He is best remembered for his drive and enthusiasm.
push (informal)
He lacked the push to succeed in his chosen vocation.
energy
At 65 years old, her energy is wonderful.
spirit
They played with spirit.
resource
leadership
ambition
a mixture of ambition and ruthlessness
daring
enthusiasm
pep
They need something to put the pep back in their lives.
vigour
He lacks the vigour of a normal, healthy teenager.
He played with great vigour.
zeal
his zeal for teaching
originality
the startling originality of his writing
eagerness
dynamism
a situation that calls for dynamism and new thinking
boldness
welly (slang)
inventiveness
He has surprised us before with his inventiveness.
get-up-and-go (informal)
She's got more get-up-and-go than anyone I know.
resourcefulness
gumption (informal)
He didn't have the gumption to seize the opportunity when it came up.
adventurousness
Additional synonyms
in the sense of action
Definition
something done on a particular occasion
The government is taking emergency action to deal with the crisis.
Synonyms
measure,
act,
step,
operation,
manoeuvre
in the sense of ambition
Definition
strong desire for success
a mixture of ambition and ruthlessness
Synonyms
enterprise,
longing,
drive,
fire,
spirit,
desire,
passion,
enthusiasm,
warmth,
striving,
initiative,
aspiration,
yearning,
devotion,
zeal,
verve,
zest,
fervour,
eagerness,
gusto,
hankering,
get-up-and-go (informal),
ardour,
keenness,
avidity,
fervency
in the sense of drive
Definition
energy, ambition, or initiative
He is best remembered for his drive and enthusiasm.