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Definitions

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.

Holdsclaw won three straight titles at Tennessee from 1996-98, the first team to accomplish that.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 2026

Having started brightly and more than matched Pep Guardiola's side for the first 35 minutes, Liverpool unravelled after going behind to an Erling Haaland penalty.

From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026

While the F-15 is the first crewed U.S. plane shot down, there have been close calls involving other aircraft.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

Delle Donne became the first player in league history to shoot more than 50% from the field, 40% from three-point range and 90% from the free-throw line.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 2026

“This first song is called ‘Your Valentine Card.’”

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

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.