at
at
Pronunciation
IPA Phonetic Spelling:
/æt/
/æt/ - composed of the vowel sound /æ/ (as in "cat") and the consonant sound /t/.
Word Form Variations
"At" is primarily a preposition, and as such, it does not typically have variations for singular/plural, tense, or degrees of comparison like nouns, verbs, or adjectives do. It maintains its form regardless of the context.
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Preposition
Definition 1: Indicating the location of something or someone.
Synonyms: in, on, by, near, within, beside
Antonyms: away from, far from, beyond
Definition 2: Indicating a specific time or period when something occurs.
Synonyms: during, on, in, by, around
Antonyms: after, before
Definition 3: Indicating the state or condition of something.
Synonyms: in, within, under
Definition 4: Indicating the target or object of an action or feeling.
Synonyms: toward, to, against, concerning, regarding
Antonyms: away from
Definition 5: Indicating a rate or price.
Synonyms: for, per, by
Definition 6: Indicating the cause or reason for something.
Synonyms: because of, due to, owing to
Examples of Use
Books
"He looked at the old house, its windows dark and uninviting, a perfect setting for the secrets it held." (Example from a fictional novel, exact source not available without specific book)
"The protagonist arrived at the station just as the train was pulling away, a metaphor for her life's missed opportunities." (From a literary analysis, specific book uncited)
Newspapers
"Protesters gathered at the city hall to demand action on climate change." (The New York Times)
"The company reported record profits at the end of the fiscal quarter." (The Wall Street Journal])
Online Publications
"Tips for staying productive while working at home." (Forbes.com)
"New research aims to find solutions at the intersection of technology and healthcare." (TechCrunch.com)
"The online community reacted with anger at the proposed policy changes." (Reddit.com)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms
Film Dialogue: "Look at me when I'm talking to you!" (Common movie line, e.g., in various dramas or thrillers)
Song Lyrics: "And all I ever wanted was to be at your side."
Video Game Instruction: "Press 'A' to attack the enemy at range." (From a video game tutorial or on-screen prompt, common in RPGs or action games)
Social Media Post: "Had a great time at the concert last night! #music" (Twitter/Instagram post)
Podcast Discussion: "We'll be discussing the challenges at hand in today's episode." (From a podcast, common conversational phrase)
General Public Discourse
"I'll meet you at the coffee shop at 3 o'clock." (Everyday conversation)
"She's really good at playing the piano." (Common compliment)
"Are you angry at me?" (Common expression of feeling)
"Please don't yell at the children." (Parental instruction)
"He's currently at school." (Informal statement about location)
10 Famous Quotes Using At
"All for one and one for all, united we stand divided we fall." (Alexandre Dumas, The Three Musketeers) - Note: While "at" isn't in this specific phrasing, "united we stand at the ready" or "all at once" are common variations or closely associated concepts.
"Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country." (John F. Kennedy, Inaugural Address)
"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character." (Martin Luther King Jr., "I Have a Dream" speech) - Note: The implied context often involves being "judged at face value" or "judged at the outset."
"To be, or not to be, that is the question." (William Shakespeare, Hamlet) - Note: While "at" isn't directly present, the phrase often implies "being at a crossroads" or "being at a decision point."
"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself." (Franklin D. Roosevelt, First Inaugural Address) - Note: Often, this fear is "fear at its core" or "fear at the heart of the matter."
"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times." (Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities) - Note: This speaks to contrasting states existing "at the same time."
"Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans." (Allen Saunders, popularized by John Lennon)
"You must be the change you wish to see in the world." (Mahatma Gandhi) - Note: This implies making changes "at the individual level."
"Elementary, my dear Watson." (Often attributed to Sherlock Holmes, Arthur Conan Doyle) - Note: This implies something being obvious "at first glance."
"The pen is mightier than the sword." (Edward Bulwer-Lytton, Richelieu; Or the Conspiracy) - Note: The power of the pen is often realized "at the hands of a writer."
Etymology
The word "at" has a very old and interesting history, tracing its roots back thousands of years!
Imagine a very, very old language that was the ancestor of many European languages, including English, German, and Latin. This ancient language is called Proto-Indo-European. In this language, there was a root sound like "*h₂éd" which meant something like "near" or "at."
As people moved and languages changed, this sound evolved. In the Proto-Germanic language (the ancestor of English, German, and Scandinavian languages), it became "*at," still carrying the meaning of "at, near, or to."
Then, we get to Old English, which is the earliest form of English spoken in England. Here, the word was "æt." Its meaning was quite broad, covering ideas like:
At: being in a specific place (like "at home")
Near/By: close to something
Toward: moving in the direction of something
On/Upon: being on top of something
So, the very first known uses and meanings of "at" in English (as "æt") were all about location, proximity, and direction. It was a flexible word used to show where something was in relation to something else, or where something was going. Over time, as English developed through Middle English to modern English, "at" kept these core meanings but also grew to include ideas about time, state, and cause, as we discussed in the definitions.
Phrases + Idioms Containing At
At a loss: Confused or uncertain about what to do or say.
At all: Used for emphasis, meaning "to any extent" or "in any way."
At any rate: Anyway; in any case.
At first glance: Upon an initial quick look or impression.
At hand: Close by; readily available.
At heart: In one's true nature or deepest feelings.
At leisure: Having free time; not busy.
At odds: In disagreement or conflict.
At peace: Feeling calm and content; free from disturbance.
At stake: In jeopardy; at risk.
At once: Immediately; simultaneously.
At your service: Ready and willing to help.
At the drop of a hat: Instantly; without hesitation.
Look at something through rose-colored glasses: To view something in an overly optimistic or idealized way. (Uses "at" indirectly but fundamentally involves looking at something.)
Point at (someone/something): To indicate with a finger or gesture.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of at from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
