The Oxford Learner’s Thesaurus explains the difference between groups of similar words. Try it for free as part of the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary app
- used to say where somebody works or studies
- He's been at the bank longer than anyone else.
- She's at Yale (= Yale University).
- 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.
- (British English) What are you doing at the weekend?
- used to state the age at which somebody does something
- She got married at 25.
- He left school at the age of 16.
- 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.
- used after a verb to show that somebody tries to do something, or partly does something, but does not succeed or complete it One big celebrity at-ed the restaurant, and suddenly reservations were booked for the next six weeks.
- to include or involve someone, or to call a person out, especially when that person does not want to be involved or singled out: My opinions are my own, so please don’t at my employer about the stuff I write on this site.
- to argue with someone, or dispute someone’s stated views, especially on social media: The sequel was better than the original—don’t at me!
Idioms about at
- be at (someone), to be sexually aggressive toward (a person): She's pregnant again because he's at her morning, noon, and night.
- where it's at, Informal. the place where the most interesting or exciting things happen: Emma says that Rome is definitely where it's at now.
Origin of at
1 First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English æt; cognate with Old Frisian et, Old Norse, Old Saxon, Gothic at, Old High German az, Latin, Old Welsh, Old Breton ad, Oscan ad-, Umbrian ař-, Old Irish, Gaulish, Phrygian ad-
Words Nearby at
- asyntactic
- As You Like It
- as you please
- asystole
- Asyut
- at
- -ata
- ataata
- at about
- Atabrine
- Atacama Desert
Other definitions for at (2 of 9)
noun,plural at or ats. - a money of account of Laos, one 100th of a kip.
Origin of at
2 First recorded in1950–55; from Lao; compare Thai ʔàt formerly, a copper coin worth one eighth of a füang, ultimately from Pali aṭṭha eight
Other definitions for At (3 of 9)
Other definitions for At (4 of 9)
Symbol, Chemistry. - astatine.
Other definitions for AT (5 of 9)
abbreviation - achievement test.
Other definitions for aT (6 of 9)
Other definitions for at- (7 of 9)
- variant of ad- before t: attend.
Other definitions for at. (8 of 9)
abbreviation - atmosphere.
- atomic.
- attorney.
Other definitions for A.T. (9 of 9)
abbreviation - Atlantic time.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use at in a sentence
- I spoke first with Scott Ellman, a student at Wesleyan University and now the Huffington Post editor-at-large for his campus.
- The at-home genetics testing company 23andme, established in 2006, helps people learn more about their “DNA relatives.”
- This at-home blood test kit gives a full reading of antioxidant, fatty acid, or vitamin panels.
- at-home caretakers are eligible for Medicaid waivers, which allow benefits regardless of income.
- Because women with disabilities are one of the most at-risk demographics in the world.
- Tressan was monstrous ill-at-ease, and his face lost a good deal of its habitual plethora of colour.
- A fellow rudely clad—a hybrid between man-at-arms and lackey—lounged on a musket to confront them in the gateway.
- And the Seneschal, moved by that confident promise of evil, threw himself before the men-at-arms.
- On the first day, a thousand English archers, supported by men-at-arms, attempted to draw the Scots.
- Belhaven made his escape to his own country, and was there beyond the reach of the Serjeant-at-Arms.
British Dictionary definitions for at (1 of 6)
preposition - used to indicate location or position: are they at the table?; staying at a small hotel
- towards; in the direction of: looking at television; throwing stones at windows
- used to indicate position in time: come at three o'clock
- engaged in; in a state of (being): children at play; stand at ease; he is at his most charming today
- (in expressions concerned with habitual activity) during the passing of (esp in the phrase at night): he used to work at night
- for; in exchange for: it's selling at four pounds
- used to indicate the object of an emotion: angry at the driver; shocked at his behaviour
- where it's at slang the real place of action
Origin of at
1 Old English æt; related to Old Norse at to, Latin ad to
British Dictionary definitions for at (2 of 6)
nounplural at - a Laotian monetary unit worth one hundredth of a kip
Origin of at
2 from Thai
British Dictionary definitions for at (3 of 6)
the internet domain name for - Austria
British Dictionary definitions for At (4 of 6)
the chemical symbol for - astatine symbol for
- Also: A ampere-turn
British Dictionary definitions for AT (5 of 6)
abbreviation for - attainment target
British Dictionary definitions for at. (6 of 6)
abbreviation for - Also: atm atmosphere (unit of pressure)
- atomic
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for At
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.