at first
IdiomsExample Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
This occurred slowly at first in 2022, but the estimated declines in 2023, 2024 and 2025 have been substantial.
From Salon ● Jul. 20, 2026
Coca-Cola was at first sold in one place—Jacobs’ Pharmacy in downtown Atlanta.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 19, 2026
The National Assembly approved the bill at first reading in January but the Senate later amended it to target only the most harmful platforms, prompting concern in Brussels.
From Barron's ● Jul. 12, 2026
"For me it was love at first sight," said David.
From BBC ● Jul. 8, 2026
He tugged at it; gently at first, and then much harder.
From "Impossible Creatures" by Katherine Rundell
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
