Definitions

first of all

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first off adv.
principally adv.

ADVERB

first off

Synonyms

WEAK

first thing firstly foremost immediately in the first place primo up front

ADVERB

principally

Synonyms

STRONGEST

basically chiefly first and foremost generally importantly largely mostly notably particularly predominantly

STRONG

primarily

WEAK

above all before anything else cardinally dominantly eminently especially essentially for the most part fundamentally in the first place in the main materially peculiarly preeminently prevailingly prevalently substantially superlatively supremely to a great degree universally vitally

Antonyms

WEAK

secondarily trivially

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.

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first of all

When you’re out in the country, first of all, there’s no traffic.

From Slate ● Sep. 28, 2026

I was excited by, first of all, the fact that I have this good friend, Jack Nicholson, who could play the hell out of this part.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 25, 2026

I hope I can go early to the house but first of all we have to find one.

From BBC ● Jul. 6, 2026

My key focus is, first of all, to build a company that can exist as an independent company that delivers long-term, durable, sustainable growth.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 30, 2026

He must see to his mother, first of all; he must use Tom Torgerson’s ham radio set and put in a call to Anacortes about printing the paper there.

From "Snow Falling on Cedars: A Novel" by David Guterson

first of all

Example Sentences

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