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

She graciously followed through on that, at first, after losing the primary in a closer-than-expected result.

From Slate ● Oct. 31, 2026

One of the most inescapable Halloween treats—Candy Corn—wasn’t marketed as a Halloween goody at first.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 25, 2026

He said the mourners "at first did not grasp what was happening".

From Barron's ● Oct. 25, 2026

Although Doyle at first denied to the tribunal he knew Hall before this, it emerged during the tribunal that he had previously had a number of mentoring meetings with the GP.

From BBC ● Oct. 23, 2026

What I believed, at first, was that there were things about this war that I did not understand, that were above my station and pay grade.

From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse

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Related Words

• basically
• formerly

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