de prime abord

La solution n’était pas évidente de prime abord.
The solution was not obvious at first sight.
De prime abord, ce plan semblait trop coûteux.
At first glance, this plan seemed too expensive.
De prime abord, j’ai cru que les deux tableaux étaient identiques.
At first glance, I thought the two paintings were identical.
Il paraît distant de prime abord, mais il est très chaleureux.
He seems distant at first, but he is very warm.
Ce texte semble simple de prime abord, puis ses nuances apparaissent.
The text seems simple at first, then its nuances emerge.

Similar words

à première vue

au premier coup d’œil

au premier abord

De prime abord, ce plan semblait trop coûteux.
At first glance, this plan seemed too expensive.
Il paraît distant de prime abord, mais il est très chaleureux.
He seems distant at first, but he is very warm.
La solution n’était pas évidente de prime abord.
The solution was not obvious at first sight.
De prime abord, j’ai cru que les deux tableaux étaient identiques.
At first glance, I thought the two paintings were identical.
Ce texte semble simple de prime abord, puis ses nuances apparaissent.
The text seems simple at first, then its nuances emerge.

au premier abord

à première vue

au premier coup d’œil

De introduces the manner, prime means “first”, and abord is an approach or first contact.

What does de prime abord mean?

It means “at first glance” or “at first”.

Is de prime abord formal?

It is more literary than au premier abord.

Can an impression change after de prime abord?

Yes. The expression often introduces an impression later revised.

Is de prime abord invariable?

Yes, the expression does not change form.

What is a close synonym of de prime abord?

Au premier abord is a close, more everyday alternative.

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