initiative

Bridgezipf 4.36

Pronunciation

/ɪˈnɪʃɪətɪv/(i-NISH-ee-uh-tiv)

Part of speech

nounneutral

Chinese

主动性；倡议（自发采取行动的能力；或一项新计划）

Definition

The ability to assess and take action independently; a new plan or process designed to achieve something.

Word family

  • initiate/ɪˈnɪʃɪeɪt/(v)发起；开始
  • initiator/ɪˈnɪʃɪeɪtə/(n)发起者

Collocations

  • take the initiative
  • show initiative
  • strategic initiative
  • policy initiative
  • a new initiative
  • on one's own initiative
  • peace initiative

Examples

  1. 1.We need people who can take the initiative rather than waiting for instructions at every step.
  2. 2.The government announced a major new initiative to tackle youth unemployment in urban areas.

Synonyms

  • drive/draɪv/— determination and ambition
  • enterprise/ˈɛntəpraɪz/— willingness to take bold action
  • plan/plæn/— a course of action

Etymology

from French "initiative" = that which initiates, from "initier" (to initiate)