at

[ at; unstressed uht, it ]

/ æt; unstressed ət, ɪt /

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preposition

(used to indicate a point or place occupied in space); in, on, or near: to stand at the door;at the bottom of the barrel.

(used to indicate a location or position, as in time, on a scale, or in order): at zero;at noon;at age 65;at the end;at the lowest point.

(used to indicate presence or location): at home;at hand.

(used to indicate amount, degree, or rate): at great speed;at high altitudes.

(used to indicate a direction, goal, or objective); toward: Aim at the mark.Look at that.

(used to indicate occupation or involvement): at work;at play.

(used to indicate a state or condition): at ease;at peace.

(used to indicate a cause or source): She was annoyed at his stupidity.

(used to indicate a method or manner): He spoke at length.

(used to indicate relative quality or value): at one's best;at cost.

noun

@, a symbol that is used in email addresses to link a username to a domain name, used at the beginning of Twitter handles, and in other identifying designations on the internet.

verb (used with object) @ed or at-ed;@ing or at-ing.

(on social media)

to tag an account that begins with the symbol @, resulting in a link to that account’s profile and a notification to the user that their account has been explicitly mentioned in someone else’s post: One big celebrity at-ed the restaurant, and suddenly reservations were booked for the next six weeks.
to include or involve someone, or to call a person out, especially when that person does not want to be involved or singled out: My opinions are my own, so please don’t at my employer about the stuff I write on this site.
to argue with someone, or dispute someone’s stated views, especially on social media: The sequel was better than the original—don’t at me!

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Idioms about at

be at (someone), to be sexually aggressive toward (a person): She's pregnant again because he's at her morning, noon, and night.

where it's at, Informal. the place where the most interesting or exciting things happen: Emma says that Rome is definitely where it's at now.

Origin of at

First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English æt; cognate with Old Frisian et, Old Norse, Old Saxon, Gothic at, Old High German az, Latin, Old Welsh, Old Breton ad, Oscan ad-, Umbrian ař-, Old Irish, Gaulish, Phrygian ad-

Other definitions for at (2 of 9)

at²

or att

[ aht, at ]

/ ɑt, æt /

noun, plural at or ats.

a money of account of Laos, one 100th of a kip.

Origin of at

First recorded in 1950–55; from Lao; compare Thai ʔàt formerly, a copper coin worth one eighth of a füang, ultimately from Pali aṭṭha eight

Other definitions for at (3 of 9)

At¹

abbreviation

ampere-turn.

Other definitions for at (4 of 9)

At²

Symbol, Chemistry.

astatine.

Other definitions for at (5 of 9)

abbreviation

achievement test.

antitank.

Other definitions for at (6 of 9)

abbreviation

attotesla.

Other definitions for at (7 of 9)

at-

variant of ad- before t: attend.

Other definitions for at (8 of 9)

at.

abbreviation

atmosphere.

atomic.

attorney.

Other definitions for at (9 of 9)

A.T.

abbreviation

Atlantic time.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use at in a sentence

Y a-t-il de plus sal, que la plupart des traits qui se trouvent dans la Thologie portative?
Baron d'Holbach|Max Pearson Cushing
Well, she says he did n't say nothin' for a minute an' then he said 'Wh-a-t?'
Susan Clegg and a Man in the House|Anne Warner
I think I hear that odious shake on the word "ba-a-t-tle," as it rhymes to "rat—tie," in old Dan's song.
Paul Gosslett's Confessions in Love, Law, and The Civil Service|Charles James Lever
Whoever heard of a first-class loafer who did not e-a-t the weed or burn it, or both?
Questionable Amusements and Worthy Substitutes|J. M. Judy

"The passengers' store-room, I bes a-t'inkin'," said another.
The Harbor Master|Theodore Goodridge Roberts

British Dictionary definitions for at (1 of 6)

at¹

/ (æt) /

preposition

used to indicate location or positionare they at the table?; staying at a small hotel

towards; in the direction oflooking at television; throwing stones at windows

used to indicate position in timecome at three o'clock

engaged in; in a state of (being)children at play; stand at ease; he is at his most charming today

(in expressions concerned with habitual activity) during the passing of (esp in the phrase at night)he used to work at night

for; in exchange forit's selling at four pounds

used to indicate the object of an emotionangry at the driver; shocked at his behaviour

where it's at slang the real place of action

Word Origin for at

Old English æt; related to Old Norse at to, Latin ad to

British Dictionary definitions for at (2 of 6)

at²

/ (ɑːt, æt) /

noun plural at

a Laotian monetary unit worth one hundredth of a kip

Word Origin for at

from Thai

British Dictionary definitions for at (3 of 6)

at³

the internet domain name for

Austria

British Dictionary definitions for at (4 of 6)

the chemical symbol for

astatine

symbol for

Also: A ampere-turn

British Dictionary definitions for at (5 of 6)

abbreviation for

attainment target

British Dictionary definitions for at (6 of 6)

at.

abbreviation for

Also: atm atmosphere (unit of pressure)

atomic

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for at

The symbol for astatine.

at

Idioms about at

Origin of at

Other definitions for at (2 of 9)

or att

Origin of at

Other definitions for at (3 of 9)

Other definitions for at (4 of 9)

Other definitions for at (5 of 9)

Other definitions for at (6 of 9)

Other definitions for at (7 of 9)

Other definitions for at (8 of 9)

Other definitions for at (9 of 9)

Words related to at

How to use at in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for at (1 of 6)

Word Origin for at

British Dictionary definitions for at (2 of 6)

Word Origin for at

British Dictionary definitions for at (3 of 6)

British Dictionary definitions for at (4 of 6)

British Dictionary definitions for at (5 of 6)

British Dictionary definitions for at (6 of 6)

Scientific definitions for at