Inchoate

/ɪnˈkəʊət/ · adjective

Meaning

Recently started but not fully formed yet; just begun; only elementary or immature..

Definitions by Sense

1. Recently started but not fully formed yet; just begun; only elementary or immature.
2. Chaotic, disordered, confused; also, incoherent, rambling.
3. (law) Of a crime, imposing criminal liability for an incompleted act.
4. (rare) A beginning, an immature start.
5. (transitive) To begin or start (something).
6. (transitive) To cause or bring about. In the field of criminology, to encourage, assist, conspire, aid and abet, incite, etc.
7. (intransitive) To make a start.

Example Sentences

neither a substance perfect, nor a substance inchoate

It do's indeed perfect and crown thoſe graces which were here inchoate and begun, but no mans converſion ever ſucceeded his being there ...

This appointment is evidenced by an open, unequivocal act, and, being the last act required from the person making it, necessarily excludes the idea of its being, so far as it respects the appointment, an inchoate and incomplete transaction.

It being determined that a constitution should be made for the inchoate government, men were selected by its sponsors, from those at the Illinois Camp Ground, including as many western Cherokees as could be induced to sign it.

...unfortunately, we have to face inchoate schemes which will demand the utmost jealousy and vigilance of Parliament.

The private conception of any breach of law is apt to be inspiriting, for the scheme (while yet inchoate) wears dashing and attractive colours.

A youth whose brain glowed like a furnace, whose heart throbbed with tumult of high ambitions, of inchoate desires.

Very odd and ugly were these beings, as indeed are most beings of a world yet inchoate and rudely fashioned.

Synonyms for inchoate

Antonyms for inchoate

Related Words

Word Forms

• more inchoate
• most inchoate
• inchoates
• inchoating
• inchoated

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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