What is at? How to use in English

Definition & pronunciation of at

atpreposition

Tại

/ət//ət/

Where does the word at come from?

The word "at" is one of the most common prepositions in the English language, and it has a fascinating history. The word "at" comes from Old English "at" or "on", which was used to indicate proximity or connection between two things. Over time, the meaning of "at" evolved to include a sense of direction or location, as in "at the store" or "at home". In Old English, "at" was also used to indicate a specific point or location, similar to the Modern English preposition "in". For example, "at sunnande" means "at sunrise". The word "at" is related to other Old English words such as "t" or " dst", which also indicated proximity or connection. Today, "at" is used in a wide range of contexts, from physical locations to abstract concepts, and remains one of the most essential words in the English language. Despite its simplicity, the word "at" has a rich history and continues to play a vital role in our communication.

Vocabulary summary at

typenoun

meaningat (location only)

exampleat Haiduong: in Hai Duong

exampleat school

exampleat home

meaningat, at the time, at the time (time only)

exampleat six o'clock

exampleat midnight: at midnight

exampleat mealtime: at mealtime

meaningcurrently

exampleat work

exampleat breakfast

examplewhat are you at now?

typeDefault

meaningat, at

meaningat fist from the beginning

meaningat least at least

Example of vocabulary atnamespace

meaning

used to say where something/somebody is or where something happens

  • at the corner of the street
  • We changed at Crewe.
  • They arrived late at the airport.
  • At the roundabout take the third exit.
  • I'll be at home all morning.
meaning

used to say where somebody works or studies

  • He's been at the bank longer than anyone else.
  • She's at Yale (= Yale University).
meaning

used to say when something happens

  • We left at 2 o'clock.
  • at the end of the week
  • We woke at dawn.
  • I didn't know at the time of writing (= when I wrote).
  • At night you can see the stars.
meaning

used to state the age at which somebody does something

  • She got married at 25.
  • He left school at the age of 16.
meaning

in the direction of or towards somebody/something

  • What are you looking at?
  • He pointed a gun at her.
  • Somebody threw paint at the prime minister.
meaning

used after a verb to show that somebody tries to do something, or partly does something, but does not succeed or complete it

  • He clutched wildly at the rope as he fell.
  • She nibbled at a sandwich (= ate only small bits of it).
meaning

used with adjectives to show how well somebody does something

  • I'm good at French.
  • She's hopeless at managing people.
meaning

used to show a rate, speed, etc.

  • He was driving at 70 mph.
  • The noise came at two-minute intervals (= once every two minutes).
  • Prices start at $1 000.
  • The book retails at £19.95.
meaning

used to state the distance away from something

  • I held it at arm's length.
  • Can you read a car number plate at fifty metres?
meaning

used to show the situation somebody/something is in, what somebody is doing or what is happening

  • The country is now at war.
  • I felt at a disadvantage.
  • I think Mr Harris is at lunch.
meaning

used to say that somebody/something is as good, bad, etc. as they can be

  • This was Osaka at her best.
  • The garden's at its most beautiful in June.
meaning

used with adjectives to show the cause of something

  • They were impatient at the delay.
  • She was delighted at the result.
meaning

in response to something

  • They attended the dinner at the chairman's invitation.
meaning

used when giving a phone number

  • You can reach me at 637-2335, extension 354.
meaning

the symbol (@) used in email addresses

Synonyms and related words for at

Idioms of vocabulary at

at that
used when you are giving an extra piece of information
  • He managed to buy a car after all—and a nice one at that.
be at it again
to be doing something, especially something bad
  • Look at all that graffiti—those kids have been at it again.
where it’s at
(informal)a place or an activity that is very popular or fashionable
  • Judging by the crowds waiting to get in, this seems to be where it's at.

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