at

Universal Words preposition 1 used to say where sth/sb is or where sth happens: at the corner of the street * We changed at Crewe. * They arrived late at the airport. * At the roundabout take the third exit. * I'll be at home all morning. * She's at Tom's (= at Tom's house). * I met her at the hospital. * How many people were there at the concert? 2 used to say where sb works or studies: He's been at the bank longer than anyone else. * She's at Yale (= Yale University). 3 used to say when sth happens: We left at 2 o'clock. * at the end of the week * We woke at dawn. * I didn't know at the time of writing (= when I wrote). * At night you can see the stars. * (BrE) What are you doing at the weekend? 4 used to state the age at which sb does sth: She got married at 25. * He left school at the age of 16. 5 in the direction of or towards sb/sth: What are you looking at? * He pointed a gun at her. * Somebody threw paint at the prime minister. 6 used after a verb to show that sb tries to do sth, or partly does sth, but does not succeed or complete it: He clutched wildly at the rope as he fell. * She nibbled at a sandwich (= ate only small bits of it). 7 used to state the distance away from sth: I held it at arm's length. * Can you read a car number plate at fifty metres? 8 used to show the situation sb/sth is in, what sb is doing or what is happening: The country is now at war. * I felt at a disadvantage. * I think Mr Harris is at lunch. 9 used to show a rate, speed, etc: He was driving at 70 mph. * The noise came at two-minute intervals (= once every two minutes). 10 ~ sb's / sth's best / worst, etc. used to say that sb/sth is as good, bad, etc. as they can be: This was Henman at his best. * The garden's at its most beautiful in June. 11 used with adjectives to show how well sb does sth: I'm good at French. * She's hopeless at managing people. 12 used with adjectives to show the cause of sth: They were impatient at the delay. * She was delighted at the result. 13 (formal) in response to sth: They attended the dinner at the chairman's invitation. IDIOMS at that used when you are giving an extra piece of information: He managed to buy a car after all-and a nice one at that. where it's at (informal) a place or an activity that is very popular or fashionable: Judging by the crowds waiting to get in, this seems to be where it's at.