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.

The first draw will run during the group stage, the second includes the last 32 and last 16, and the third for predicting the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final.

From BBC • Jun. 9, 2026

"This is part of life. I'm not nostalgic. Just like the first day, each, every minute, I've been trying to enjoy as much as I can."

From BBC • Jun. 9, 2026

Aouar is the first of those and I've watched him closely since he came through as a teenager at Lyon.

From BBC • Jun. 9, 2026

He has been like a new signing, with his first appearances coming in their warm-up games but he is new to the top level.

From BBC • Jun. 9, 2026

Two thicker logs are left near the wagon for breakfast at first light.

From "Will’s Race for Home" by Jewell Parker Rhodes

first

Example Sentences

Related Words