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.

There was a heavy police presence in Glasgow for the match, with O'Neill, who last won the title in 2004 during his first spell at Celtic, among those urging fans to celebrate "safely and responsibly".

From BBC • May 16, 2026

Two years later, the commission used that authority for the first time by dropping a $4.2 million penalty on a homeowner.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 16, 2026

It will be the first papal state visit to France since Benedict XVI went in September 2008.

From Barron's • May 16, 2026

Defending his commutation of Peters, Governor Polis argued that while she did commit a crime, her "sentence is simply disproportionate for a first time, non-violent offender".

From BBC • May 16, 2026

She had been so caught up in her work she had totally forgotten the first rule of frybread.

From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith

first

Example Sentences

Related Words