inaugural

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'inaugural' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the first occurrence of something, or to refer to the beginning of a new era or development of something. For example, you could say: The inaugural ceremony marked the beginning of a new chapter in our town's history.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Thus that inaugural series was played in dowdy whites with coloured stripes down the side.

The Guardian - Sport

Last month Angela Merkel made the first, cautious signals in the direction of a higher defence budget at the inaugural visit of the new Nato secretary general, Jens Stoltenberg.

The Guardian

The vast majority of the 20,911 crowd stayed behind though, applauding both the winners and losers, an act so admired by Fifa that they set up their Fair Play Award in honour of Dundee United and handed the club the inaugural prize.

The Guardian - Sport

When the inaugural BBC 6 Music festival launched in Manchester last year, it didn't make much of a ripple in a city somewhat spoiled for live music provision.

The Guardian - Music

In May , 1953 however, I was at the inaugural match of Rome's Olympic Stadium, to watch the Hungarians take Italy apart, 3-0; and wrote a piece in a sports weekly warning what England would face the following November.

The Guardian - Sport

Money, a "surprise" addition to the inaugural cast, announces when she enters Paradise: "I packed five bags.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

He fought the inaugural, stand-alone mayoral contest as an independent and romped to victory.

The Guardian

You may not, it is conceivable, be hyper-aware that 31 October 2014 is the inaugural World Cities Day.

The Guardian

She emerged victorious from her age section of the inaugural Drive, Chip and Putt Championship at Augusta, immediately before the Masters in April.

The Guardian - Sport

John Lindsay's second inaugural address as New York City's mayor does that.

The Guardian - Opinion

Call it Best Instance of Professional Adequacy in Extremely Unsatisfactory Circumstances, and make Auburtin its inaugural winner.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing events, pairing "inaugural" with words that convey importance and formality, such as "ceremony", "gala", or "conference", can enhance the sense of significance.

Common error

Avoid using "inaugural" for events that are simply 'new' or 'recent'. "Inaugural" specifically refers to the very first event of its kind, not just any early occurrence. If it isn't the absolute first, a word like 'first', 'early' or '"preliminary"' may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The word "inaugural" primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate that something is the first of its kind or marks a beginning. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It often describes events, seasons, or speeches.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Formal & Business

24%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "inaugural" functions as an adjective, denoting the very first instance or beginning of something significant. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically sound and widely applicable. Its usage spans diverse contexts such as news, business, and more technical settings, maintaining a neutral to formal tone. While alternatives like "first", "initial", and "opening" exist, "inaugural" uniquely emphasizes the significance of a beginning. When employing the word "inaugural", ensure it accurately reflects the start of a series or event, avoiding its misuse for merely new or recent occurrences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

starting

A basic term for the commencement of an activity or period.

initial

A more general term for 'first', applicable in various contexts.

first ever

Stresses that something has never happened before.

first of its kind

Emphasizes the uniqueness and pioneering aspect of the event or item.

opening

Focuses on the act of beginning or starting something.

launching

Highlights the action of starting a new venture or product.

premiere

Suggests a formal or significant debut.

newly established

Emphasizes the recent creation or foundation of something.

original

Highlights the novelty and lack of precedent.

pilot

Often used for a test or experimental run before a full launch.

FAQs

How to use "inaugural" in a sentence?

Use "inaugural" to describe the first event or beginning of something significant, such as "The "inaugural" meeting of the committee was held on Tuesday" or "The president delivered his "inaugural" address".

What can I say instead of "inaugural"?

You can use alternatives like "first", "initial", or "opening" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "inaugural" or "first"?

"Inaugural" specifically refers to the very first event of a series, while "first" is more general. Use "inaugural" when you want to emphasize the significance of the beginning.

What's the difference between "inaugural" and "premiere"?

"Inaugural" usually refers to the beginning of something that is intended to be ongoing (e.g., an annual event), while "premiere" typically refers to the first public performance of a film, play, or piece of music.