Initialize vs. Initiate — What's the Difference?

To set (a starting value of a variable).

To set going by taking the first step; begin

To prepare (a computer or a printer) for use; boot.

To introduce to a new field, interest, skill, or activity

To format (a storage medium, such as a disk).

To admit (someone) into membership, as with a ritual or ceremony.

To assign initial values to something

Initiated or admitted, as to membership or a position of authority.

(computing) To assign an initial value to a variable

Introduced to something new, such as a new field of knowledge.

(computing) To format a storage medium prior to use

One who is being or has been initiated into an organization.

(computing) To prepare any hardware (such as a printer or scanner) for use

One who has been introduced to or has attained some knowledge in a particular field.

To assign an initial value to (a variable or set of variables in a computer program); as, many bugs are caused by a failure to initialize variables.

A new member of an organization.

Assign an initial value to a computer program

One who has been through a ceremony of initiation.

Divide (a disk) into marked sectors so that it may store data;

One who is oriented#Adjective in and familiar#Adjective with a topic or subject; especially, one who is an expert#Noun in it.

(transitive) To begin; to start.

To instruct in the rudiments or principles; to introduce.

To confer membership on; especially, to admit to a secret order with mysterious rites or ceremonies.

(intransitive) To do the first act; to perform the first rite; to take the initiative.

(obsolete) Unpractised; untried; new.

(obsolete) Begun; commenced; introduced to, or instructed in, the rudiments; newly admitted.

To introduce by a first act; to make a beginning with; to set afoot; to originate; to commence; to begin or enter upon.

To acquaint with the beginnings; to instruct in the rudiments or principles; to introduce.

To introduce into a society or organization; to confer membership on; especially, to admit to a secret order with mysterious rites or ceremonies.

To do the first act; to perform the first rite; to take the initiative.

Unpracticed; untried; new.

Begun; commenced; introduced to, or instructed in, the rudiments; newly admitted.

One who is, or is to be, initiated.

Someone new to a field or activity

Someone who has been admitted to membership in a scholarly field

People who have been introduced to the mysteries of some field or activity;

Bring into being;

Take the lead or initiative in; participate in the development of;

Accept young people into society, usually with some rite;

Bring up a topic for discussion

Prepare the way for;