at first glance

A

at first glance (idiom)
/æt fɜːrst ɡlæns/

Meanings

• A quick or superficial assessment based on first observation.
• What seems true based on an initial look, before deeper analysis.
• A snap judgment made without examining details.
• An initial impression that may turn out to be misleading.

Synonyms: on the surface; apparently; seemingly; superficially; outwardly; ostensibly; speciously; prima facie.

Example Sentences

1. At first glance, the fabric appeared high-quality, but flaws were revealed later.
2. The puzzle seemed simple at first glance, but it was surprisingly complex.
3. The figures looked accurate at first glance but closer analysis proved otherwise.
4. At first glance, the lake appeared calm, though strong currents lurked beneath.

Variants

• at first sight
• at a glance
• on the surface

Origin and History

Historical and Etymological Context

The phrase at first glance is an English idiom with lexical roots in Germanic and Romance languages. The key word glance entered Middle English in the 15th century, influenced by Old French glacier (to slide or slip) and Latin glaciare (to freeze or make smooth). The verb glance evolved from meanings of oblique striking or rapid motion to “a quick look” by the late 16th century, enabling idiomatic phrases like at first glance to denote a preliminary impression.

Earliest Printed Record

The earliest known printed use of at first glance appears in The Spectator No. 409, by Joseph Addison, published on June 19, 1712:

“A beautiful Face is an Advantage at first Glance, but a good Temper is a continual Recommendation.”

Earlier related phrases, such as ‘at a glance’ (15th–16th century) and ‘at first sight’ (16th century, e.g., Shakespeare), were common, but ‘at first glance‘ emerged distinctly in early modern English.

Development Theories

Scholars propose the following for the idiom’s formation:

• Semantic specialization: The verb glance shifted from physical motion to a rapid visual act (“to look quickly”) by the late 16th century, enabling phrases expressing quick observation.
• Phrase formation: English often combines temporal markers (e.g., at first) with observational terms (e.g., glance) to form compact adverbial idioms like at first glance.
• Conventionalization: Repeated use in speech and writing transformed free combinations (e.g., “at first, by a glance”) into the fixed idiom at first glance, as seen in early modern texts.

Origin Summary

• Country of origin: England (Middle to early modern English).
• Root evidence: The verb/noun glance is attested from the 15th century; idiomatic glance-phrases solidified in early modern usage.
• Earliest printed record: June 19, 1712, in The Spectator No. 409 by Joseph Addison.

Important