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.

There’s only one MLB club that could possibly overcome all the Dodgers injuries in the first half of the season.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 20, 2026

He was the first to overturn an lbw decision off Henry - once again bowling with wicketkeeper Tom Blundell up to the stumps - because of an inside edge.

From BBC • Jun. 20, 2026

Then retirement becomes the first real window where they can say, ‘let’s go.’

From MarketWatch • Jun. 20, 2026

"This study was the first to investigate the impact of terpenes in preclinical models of fibromyalgia and post-operative pain and expand the scope of potential pain-relieving treatments using terpenes."

From Science Daily • Jun. 20, 2026

I’ll go to the most esteemed music conservatory on the East Coast—the Juilliard School—and from there, it’s only a matter of time before I reach my ultimate goal: first chair in the New York Philharmonic.

From "Split the Sky" by Marie Arnold

first

Example Sentences

Related Words