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

See Examples For:

at first

He loved hats, fedoras at first but then black fisherman beanies.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 15, 2026

The technology was so universal that thieves didn’t notice at first when Kia dropped immobilizers from many of its American models in 2011, or when Hyundai did same five years later.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 15, 2026

"What is especially fascinating about the hat tile is that, although the resulting pattern appears irregular at first glance, it is actually constructed from the honeycomb lattice," says lead author Yuto Moritake.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 15, 2026

Sept. 11 was a politically unifying event at first, as wars tend to be.

From Salon ● Sep. 13, 2026

Two thicker logs are left near the wagon for breakfast at first light.

From "Will’s Race for Home" by Jewell Parker Rhodes

Related Words

• basically
• formerly