# at

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/at
Updated: 2026-07-09

## Senses

### 1. place or location

preposition · CEFR A1

used to show a specific place or position.

For teachers: indicates a specific point in space, a location, or a position in the general vicinity of an object.

- We agreed to meet at the entrance of the cinema at seven o'clock.
- The courier left the package at the front desk because the recipient was not available to sign for it.

Usage: Often used for specific addresses or points, whereas 'in' is used for enclosed spaces or large areas like cities.

### 2. time

preposition · CEFR A1

used to show a specific time of day.

For teachers: indicates a specific point or moment in time.

- The train leaves at noon, so we should arrive early.
- The ceremony is scheduled to commence at precisely 10:30 AM to ensure all speakers have sufficient time.

Usage: Commonly used with clock times, mealtimes, and specific holiday periods like 'at Christmas'.

### 3. direction or target

preposition · CEFR A2

used to show who or what you are looking at or aiming for.

For teachers: indicates the target or direction of an action, often implying focus or hostility.

- Stop shouting at me; I can hear you perfectly fine.
- The archer aimed at the center of the target, ignoring the distractions from the crowd.

Usage: Commonly follows verbs of perception or communication like 'look', 'smile', 'shout', or 'throw'.

### 4. rate or price

preposition · CEFR B1

used to show a price, speed, or level.

For teachers: indicates a specific value on a scale, such as cost, speed, or temperature.

- The car was traveling at 60 miles per hour on the highway.
- The stock was trading at its highest price in five years before the market closed.

Usage: Usually followed by a number and a unit of measurement.

### 5. activity or state

preposition · CEFR B1

used to show what someone is doing or their current situation.

For teachers: indicates engagement in an activity or a particular state of being.

- The two countries have been at war for several years.
- She is currently at work and cannot take personal phone calls until her break.

Usage: Often used in fixed phrases like 'at work', 'at play', 'at peace', or 'at rest'.

### 6. the @ symbol

noun · CEFR A2

the name of the symbol @ used in email addresses.

For teachers: the name of the typographical character @, primarily used in computing and email protocols.

- My email address is name at example dot com.
- The developer noted that the script failed to parse the 'at' symbol correctly in the user input field.

### 7. to mention online

verb · CEFR C1 · Slang · Informal

to send a message to someone or mention them on social media.

For teachers: to mention or address a user on a digital platform, typically by using their handle preceded by the @ symbol.

- Don't at me if you disagree with my opinion about the movie.
- The celebrity requested that fans stop at-ing her in posts related to the recent controversy.

Teaching tip: This is a very modern, internet-specific usage. It is often used in the phrase 'Don't @ me' to mean 'I don't want to argue about this'.

## Examples

- I will meet you at the station at five o'clock.
- The conference starts at nine in the morning, so please arrive at the main entrance early.
- The chemical reaction occurs at a specific temperature, requiring the researcher to monitor the heat levels at every stage of the process.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.