at first
IdiomsExample Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
When flames reached the village of Robledo de Chavela, Rosa, 56, refused to leave at first because she wanted to arrange for carers to rescue the feral cats that she keeps.
From Barron's ● Jul. 25, 2026
His widow Rose took his place, at first temporarily.
From Slate ● Jul. 24, 2026
Her journey to becoming a nurse began in 2003 when she met Eric in a "love at first sight moment" in a bar.
From BBC ● Jul. 23, 2026
Coca-Cola was at first sold in one place—Jacobs’ Pharmacy in downtown Atlanta.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 19, 2026
It was silvery in the moonlight, a spreading circle at first, but then the pool began to creep toward the door.
From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
