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.

“The first part is to see if it’s even necessary to continue to remove vegetation as often as we are,” Foley said.

From Los Angeles Times • May 15, 2026

It’s not the first time that Kennedy has talked about sperm count.

From Salon • May 15, 2026

Whether their neighbors put up solar panels first.

From Slate • May 15, 2026

While the UK prime minister has Downing Street, and the first minister of Scotland has Bute House in Edinburgh, there is no official residence for the first minister of Wales.

From BBC • May 15, 2026

He smiles and tilts his head down, allowing his lips to brush mine, much like they did the first time on the path, and I know things are okay between us.

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam

first

Example Sentences

Related Words