at first

phrase

: at the beginning : initially

Examples of at first in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Jorge Orta is out at first base; Colorado doesn’t get five downs; Tom Brady didn’t tuck that ball. — Will Leitch, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026

Zumthor himself doesn’t have the most interesting personal history — at least, not as far as this film is concerned — so Wenders’ exploration can come off as superficial at first. — Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 6 Sep. 2026

De Los Santos, 23, who started at first base Friday in place of Kyle Stowers and batted seventh, has spent a majority of the 2026 campaign in Jacksonville, patiently waiting for an opportunity to establish himself at the professional level. — Brandon Liguori, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2026

Plenty of dental issues can feel like no big deal, at least at first. — Erica Sloan, Washington Post, 5 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for at first

• accursed
• amerced
• cloudburst
• coerced
• conversed
• disbursed
• dispersed
• headfirst
• immersed
• outburst
• rehearsed
• reversed