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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.

Donald Trump has been booed at a basketball match in New York as he became the first sitting US president to attend the NBA Finals.

From BBC • Jun. 9, 2026

"I assumed it was a streetlight at first," he said.

From BBC • Jun. 9, 2026

This season has represented a stunning reversal of fortune for the Knicks, appearing in their first Finals since 1999 after decades as one of the worst teams in the league.

From BBC • Jun. 9, 2026

The 34-year-old remains a doubt for Brazil's first game against Morocco on Saturday.

From Barron's • Jun. 8, 2026

Now, for the first time, Schleiden sees living cells in plants.

From "Phineas Gage" by John Fleischman

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