At
/æt/
prepositionBeginner🔥Very CommonGeneral
3 meanings1 question
Definitions
3 meanings1
In, on, or near a particular place; at a particular time.
/æt/
prepositionneutralBeginner
General
Indicating location or time
I'll see you at the library.
💡 Simply: Showing where or when something is.
More Examples
2
She arrived at noon.
How It's Used
General
"The book is at the table."
Time
"The meeting is at 3 PM."
2
Towards; in the direction of.
/æt/
prepositionneutralBeginner
General
Indicating direction or aim
She pointed at the map.
💡 Simply: Going towards something.
How It's Used
General
"He threw the ball at the target."
Tip:Imagine aiming something 'at' a target.
3
At the rate or price of.
/æt/
prepositionneutralIntermediate
General
Indicating a rate or price
The car was traveling at 60 mph.
💡 Simply: The cost or speed of something.
How It's Used
Business
"The apples are sold at $2 per pound."
Tip:Think of the cost 'at' a specific price.
From Old English *æt, from Proto-Germanic *at, from Proto-Indo-European *h₂et.
The word 'at' has been used similarly in English for centuries, maintaining its core meanings of location and time.
Memory tip
Think 'at' as indicating a specific point in space or time.
Word Origin
LanguageOld English
Original meaning
"In, on, near; towards"
at leastat mostat onceat first
Practice
Usage
95%Spoken
90%Written