Well, there’s its meaning for one: incipient describes something that is beginning to come into being or to become apparent, as in “the incipient stages of the process.” And of course a good …

INCIPIENT definition: beginning to exist or appear; in an initial stage. See examples of incipient used in a sentence.

(Definition of incipient from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

Incipient comes from the Latin incipere "to begin." The related, and more commonly used, word inception means the beginning or the start. It is important to note that when something is in an …

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025 in•cip•i•ent (in sip′ ē ənt), adj. beginning to exist or appear; in an initial stage: an incipient cold.

The meaning of "incipient" changes slightly depending on whether it's being used to describe a thing or a person. For a person, "incipient" means they have the potential to develop into the role.

Definition of incipient adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

Dec 29, 2025 · Adjective incipient (not comparable) In an initial stage; beginning, starting, coming into existence.

incipient beginning to exist; developing: It was more than friendship; it was an incipient romance.

Just starting to be or happen; beginning.... Click for English pronunciations, examples sentences, video.