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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.

If this is what capitulation looks like, it would be a first.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 14, 2026

That lyric is heard over a minor-key piano in “Love Story,” the last track on the first side.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

A report from Reuters found that the tanker Rich Starry ran the blockade after first appearing to turn around in the Strait.

From Salon • Apr. 14, 2026

Mackaill, who founded Scotland's first space medicine society in 2016, became interested in space medicine while studying at university.

From BBC • Apr. 14, 2026

It was the first plant she, Virginia, and their mom had planted when they moved into their small house in Tulsa.

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