At first: meaning, definitions and examples

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at first

[ ət fəˈrst ]

^{Context #1}

in time or order

before anything else happens or is done

Synonyms

initially, initially, initially

Examples of usage

She failed at first but succeeded in the end.
At first, I didn't like the idea, but now I think it's great.

^{Context #2}

in time or order

at the beginning of a particular situation or period of time

Synonyms

initially, initially, initially

Examples of usage

At first, he thought it was a joke.
I was confused at first, but then I understood.

Translations

Translations of the word "at first" in other languages:

🇵🇹 a princípio

🇮🇳 पहले

🇩🇪 zunächst

🇮🇩 pada awalnya

🇺🇦 спочатку

🇵🇱 najpierw

🇯🇵 最初に (saisho ni)

🇫🇷 d'abord

🇪🇸 al principio

🇹🇷 öncelikle

🇰🇷 처음에 (cheoeume)

🇸🇦 أولا (awalan)

🇨🇿 nejprve

🇸🇰 najprv

🇨🇳 首先 (shǒuxiān)

🇸🇮 najprej

🇮🇸 fyrst

🇰🇿 алдымен

🇬🇪 თავდაპირველად (tavdapirvelelad)

🇦🇿 ilk növbədə

🇲🇽 al principio

Word origin

The phrase 'at first' has been in use in the English language since at least the 14th century. It is a combination of the preposition 'at' and the adverb 'first', indicating the initial or beginning point of something. Over time, it has become a common expression to denote the starting point of a sequence of events or the beginning of a new situation.