at first

phrase

Synonyms of at firstnext
: at the beginning : initially

Examples of at first in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Thinking there were two outs when the ball was hit, however, neither Anthony Seigler at third base nor Nick Sogard at first tagged up properly. — CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026 In the end, because Seigler crossed home plate before Sogard was called out at first, and Toronto never appealed the runner leaving third base early, the run was awarded to the Red Sox. — ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026 Von Trotta’s portrait at first resembles Kazin’s—a sociable woman, in love with her husband, happy in America. — David Denby, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026 As for hosting, Tucci says there was a learning curve at first. — Michael Schneider, Variety, 8 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for at first

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of at first was in the 14th century

Rhymes for at first

See All Rhymes for at first

Browse Nearby Words

at fault
at first
at first blush
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“At first.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/at%20first. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on at first

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for at first

Nglish: Translation of at first for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of vacuous

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Words of the Week - Aug. 14

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
image of a green cube out of place in a lineup of red spheres
Odd Word Out: Synonyms Vol. 2 Quiz Figure out which word isn't like the others.
See All