at first

Idioms  

1. Initially, at the start, as in At first the berries were green, but when they ripened they turned bright red. [Second half of 1500s]

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Example Sentences

The iPod music player, at first available in metallic grey, quickly diversified into a whole spectrum of bright colours.

From Barron's • Mar. 29, 2026

He says it was difficult at first, but it was "what you have to go through" in order to see a change.

From BBC • Mar. 27, 2026

Cody was most familiar with Pedretti’s performance in “You,” pegging the actor as an “intense brunet” that didn’t square at first with her interpretation of Cherry as an Anna Nicole Smith type.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 25, 2026

Although it often responds well to chemotherapy at first, that success is usually short lived.

From Science Daily • Mar. 25, 2026

He had not gone far when the ground began, infinitesimally at first but then quite unmistakably, to shake under his feet.

From "Impossible Creatures" by Katherine Rundell

Related Words

• basically
• formerly