At Meaning and Definition - Garage Clarity

Pronunciation

/æt/

Part of Speech

Preposition

Definition

A preposition indicating a location or direction, often used to show where something is or where it is going.

Examples

I’m meeting you at the park.

The shop is at the corner of the street.

Synonyms

In
On
Atop

Antonyms

Away from
Far from

Additional Information

The preposition “at” is commonly used to indicate a location, direction, or target. It can also be used to show the time or occasion of an event. In informal writing, “at” is often used in place of “in” or “on” to indicate a location.

In formal writing, however, it is essential to use “at” correctly to avoid confusion. For example, “I’m meeting you at the park” is correct, whereas “I’m meeting you in the park” implies being inside the park.

Etymology

The preposition “at” comes from Old English “æt”, which is derived from Proto-Germanic “*atiz”, related to Proto-Indo-European “*eti”. It has been a part of the English language since its earliest stages.

Usage Notes

“At” is often used in combination with other prepositions to form idiomatic expressions, such as “at once”, “at last”, or “at the moment”. It can also be used in phrasal verbs, like “at up” or “at on”.

Cultural References

The phrase “at it again” is often used in popular culture to imply someone is repeating a behavior or action, often in a humorous or ironic way.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

At once
At last
At the moment
At it again

Related Words or Phrases

In
On
Atop
From

Collocations

At home
At work
At school
At the store

Frequency of Use

The preposition “at” is one of the most commonly used words in the English language, often appearing in everyday conversations and written communication.