incipient
adjective C2
Plain meaning
just beginning to appear or develop
Exam-register meaning
at an initial, emerging stage before full development
In context
naturalThere were signs of incipient panic as the crowd grew restless.
examThe data suggest an incipient shift in consumer attitudes toward private transport.
Common collocations
incipient crisisincipient trendincipient signs
Watch out
Incipient means beginning, not intense.
Word family
incipience (noun)incipiently (adverb, rare)