Synonyms

at bottom

Idioms

Fundamentally, basically; also, in reality. For example, He may speak somewhat bluntly, but at bottom he's always honest. Charles Dickens used this idiom in Nicholas Nickleby (1838): “He's a good pony at bottom.” [Early 1700s]

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Cole Palmer scored a first half hat-trick as fifth-placed Chelsea won 3-1 at bottom of the table Wolves.

From Barron's • Feb. 7, 2026

But at bottom the document is oddly unrealistic about the world’s threats.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 8, 2025

Should leaders Celtic win at bottom club St Johnstone on Sunday, they can wrap up a 13th Premiership title in 14 seasons when they host Kilmarnock next Saturday.

From BBC • Apr. 5, 2025

Solving specific problems, at bottom, is a matter of logos.

From Salon • Mar. 15, 2025

He really knew they were air castles, for at bottom he was hard-headed, not easily taken in even by his own exuberant imagination.

From "Johnny Tremain" by Esther Hoskins Forbes

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023