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.

Asked if Iran would get any economic relief just from opening up the Strait of Hormuz to shipping traffic in the first phase of a preliminary deal, Rubio said: “No, that’s not been discussed.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 6, 2026

If elected, he would be California's first Latino governor since 1875, in a state where Latinos make up about 41% of the population.

From BBC • Jun. 6, 2026

The first of those is on June 12 when the U.S. faces Paraguay in its World Cup opener.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 6, 2026

Women’s Open, putting the devoted mom in prime position for a weekend run at her first major victory.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 5, 2026

Father Julien takes back his diary and turns to the first page.

From "At Last She Stood" by Erin Entrada Kelly

first

Example Sentences

Related Words