at first
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The chain expanded slowly at first, opening five new locations throughout the 1970s.
From Los Angeles Times • May 14, 2026
When the AI boom began, many chipmakers were at first hesitant to commit significant capital to new capacity after a sharp boom-bust cycle following the Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns.
From Barron's • May 14, 2026
"She was very thin and we had to hand-feed her at first - she has a real appetite but we have to feed her up slowly," Charlotte said.
From BBC • May 8, 2026
It’s a desolate seascape the robot finds at first, although the immersible camera provides a perspective missing from previous seasons of the show.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 7, 2026
My mother called me down for supper, but I pretended at first to have a headache.
From "Firegirl" by Tony Abbott
