initiative
noun OPAL W
/ɪˈnɪʃətɪv/
/ɪˈnɪʃətɪv/
- [countable] a new plan for dealing with a particular problem or for achieving a particular purpose
- a United Nations peace initiative
- Most policy initiatives come from the White House.
- to launch an initiative
- The money was intended to support initiatives in bilingual education.
- initiative to do something new initiatives to improve animal welfare
- a government initiative to combat unemployment
- initiative by somebody/something a joint initiative by the Scottish and UK governments
- initiative for something an initiative for peace and human rights
Extra Examples- Ten schools have been involved in the initiative.
- The committee endorsed an initiative by the chairman to enter discussion about a possible merger.
- The government has launched a new policy initiative.
- The initiative foundered because there was no market interest in redevelopment.
- The peace initiative was rejected out of hand.
- The research initiative is being undertaken by a group of environmentalists.
- We welcome the government's initiative to help the homeless.
- a local initiative aimed at economic regeneration
- a new initiative against car theft
- a peace initiative sponsored by the Organization of African Unity
- an initiative designed to promote collaborative research
- fresh initiatives to find a peaceful end to the conflict
- The initiative to reopen negotiations came from Moscow.
- pioneering initiatives in bioengineering
- the government's major new initiative on crime
- the latest initiative by the UN Secretary General
- A number of initiatives have been planned to tackle street crime.
- Government leaders are meeting to discuss the latest peace initiative.
- They proposed a joint initiative between the local authority and faith groups.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- fresh
- new
- innovative
- …
- range
- series
- undertake
- plan
- develop
- …
- be aimed at something
- be designed to
- seek to do something
- …
- initiative against
- initiative by
- initiative for
- …
- [uncountable] the ability to decide and act on your own without waiting for somebody to tell you what to do
- He said I was lazy and had no initiative.
- You won't get much help. You'll have to use your initiative.
- She needs to show more initiative if she wants to succeed.
- Too much bureaucracy represses creativity and initiative.
- She did it on her own initiative (= without anyone telling her to do it).
Extra Examples- Don't ask me what you should do all the time. Use your initiative!
- He acted on his own initiative and wasn't following orders.
- He had the initiative to ask what time the last train left.
- It's a very hierarchical company and there's little place for individual initiative.
- Raising taxes on small businesses will stifle initiative.
- In an unprecedented action, the army, on its own initiative, arrested seven civilians.
- Some scientists show little initiative in applying their knowledge.
- The project was set up on the initiative of a local landowner.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- great
- real
- individual
- …
- have
- display
- show
- …
- on somebody’s initiative
- initiative in
- a lack of initiative
- on your own initiative
- the initiative[singular] the power or opportunity to act and gain an advantage before other people do
- to seize/regain the initiative
- It was up to the US to take the initiative in repairing relations.
Extra Examples- In the second half, Manchester United regained the initiative.
- She then regained the initiative in winning the third game.
- She took the initiative in asking the board to conduct an enquiry.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverb + the initiative- have
- hold
- gain
- …
- come from somebody/something
- lie with somebody
- initiative in
- [countable, uncountable] (in some states of the US) a process by which ordinary people can suggest a new law by signing a petition
- a ballot initiative to establish a local minimum wage
- The rights of referendum and initiative foster active participation by citizens.
Word Originlate 18th cent.: from French, from Latin initiare, from initium ‘beginning’.