at: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
A1Neutral (used in all registers)
Quick answer
What does “at” mean?
A preposition indicating a point or location in space or time, often used to express position, direction, or relation to a specific point.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A preposition indicating a point or location in space or time, often used to express position, direction, or relation to a specific point.
Used to indicate a target, activity, state, condition, rate, manner, or point of reference; e.g., aiming at something, being at work, selling at a price.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal differences in core usage. Slight preference variation in certain collocations (e.g., BrE 'at the weekend' vs. AmE 'on the weekend').
Connotations
None.
Frequency
Extremely high frequency in both varieties with near-identical distribution.
Grammar
How to Use “at” in a Sentence
[Verb] + at + [NP] (e.g., look at, shout at)[Adjective] + at + [NP] (e.g., good at, surprised at)be + at + [NP] (e.g., be at the station)[NP] + at + [NP] (e.g., meeting at noon)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “at” in a Sentence
adverb
British English
- (archaic/poetic) 'He stood at, undecided.'
American English
- (archaic/poetic) 'She left him at.'
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in expressions like 'at cost', 'at a discount', 'at a meeting', 'at the office'.
Academic
Used to cite sources (e.g., 'as argued at p. 45'), indicate points in an argument, or in formulae (e.g., 'velocity at t=0').
Everyday
Ubiquitous for locations (at the shop), times (at 5pm), activities (at lunch), and states (at peace).
Technical
Used in mathematics/science to denote a specific value (e.g., 'the function at x', 'pressure at sea level').
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “at”
- Using 'at' instead of 'in' for larger/containing areas (e.g., 'I live at London').
- Using 'at' instead of 'on' for surfaces and specific days (e.g., 'at Monday', 'put it at the table').
- Omitting 'at' after verbs that require it (e.g., 'She looked me' instead of 'She looked at me').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'In' is for enclosed spaces (in a room/city). 'On' is for surfaces and public transport (on the floor/on a bus). 'At' is for specific points/locations (at the door, at home, at the station).
Generally no. Use 'in' for cities and countries (in Paris, in Italy). 'At' is used for specific points within them (at the Eiffel Tower, at the Italian embassy).
This is a matter of fixed collocation and verb/adjective patterning (valency). 'Good' collocates with 'at' to indicate skill area. 'Interested' collocates with 'in' to indicate the object of interest. These patterns must be memorised.
Yes, in a sense. In such constructions (laugh at, rejoice at, marvel at), 'at' indicates the stimulus or target of the reaction, which is semantically close to 'because of' but more specific.
A preposition indicating a point or location in space or time, often used to express position, direction, or relation to a specific point.
At is usually neutral (used in all registers) in register.
At: in British English it is pronounced /æt/, and in American English it is pronounced /æt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “at any rate”
- “at the drop of a hat”
- “at a loose end”
- “at sixes and sevens”
- “at someone's beck and call”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a cat sitting AT a specific spot on a mat. 'AT' pins down the exact point.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE IS A JOURNEY / PURPOSES ARE DESTINATIONS (e.g., 'aim at', 'arrive at a conclusion'). TIME IS SPACE (e.g., 'at noon'). STATES ARE LOCATIONS (e.g., 'at war', 'at ease').
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'at' INCORRECTLY?