Definitions

first

[furst] / fɜrst /

ADJECTIVE

earliest in order

Synonyms

STRONGEST

early

STRONG

aboriginal antecedent anterior basic beginning cardinal front fundamental head inaugural initial key leading opening original pioneer premier primary prime primitive

WEAK

elementary first off headmost in the beginning inceptive incipient introductory lead off number one numero uno primeval primogenial primordial pristine right up front rudimentary

Antonyms

STRONGEST

last

STRONG

ending extra final following second

ADJECTIVE

highest in importance

Synonyms

STRONG

arch champion chief dominant foremost head leading main premier primary prime primo principal ranking ruling sovereign

WEAK

A number one advanced eminent first-class first-string greatest head of the line number one outstanding paramount predominant preeminent supreme top of the list top-flight

Antonyms

STRONG

auxiliary inessential inferior least minor secondary subordinate trivial unimportant unnecessary

ADVERB

at the beginning

Synonyms

STRONGEST

initially originally

WEAK

ahead at the outset before all else beforehand in the first place to begin with to start with

Antonyms

WEAK

finally last

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Sawyers said the 30mm rounds offer a reliable backup against an Iranian Shahed if other methods such as jamming don’t take down the drone first.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 30, 2026

On Huang’s website, the first words are “Homes are for people, not profit.”

From Los Angeles Times • May 30, 2026

On Saturday, US defence secretary Pete Hegseth said the plan to rotate US and UK nuclear-powered submarines through Australia was "still on track", with the first US navy personnel due to arrive later this year.

From BBC • May 30, 2026

Warsh’s first interest-rate committee meeting will be in a little more than two weeks on June 16-17.

From MarketWatch • May 30, 2026

I suck in a breath when I see that one of the first on the list is The New York Times.

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam

first

Example Sentences

Related Words