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.

While Trump didn’t make a formal endorsement, his comments appear to be the first the president has made publicly in support of Pratt in the L.A. mayor’s race.

From Los Angeles Times • May 20, 2026

Yes, that’s the same designation given to Ebola-stricken countries, which seems strange at first glance.

From Salon • May 20, 2026

Addressing him on X, Gideon Saar wrote: "You knowingly caused harm to our state in this disgraceful display - and not for the first time."

From BBC • May 20, 2026

He also confirmed reports that Blue Origin is considering bringing on other investors for the first time since he launched the company in 2000.

From MarketWatch • May 20, 2026

For the first time since that dreadful day, Clare wanted to tell someone about the cruelty of it all.

From "The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest" by Aubrey Hartman

first

Example Sentences

Related Words