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Dictionary.com
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.

"When making tools for chemists, the user interface matters a lot, and previous tools relied on cumbersome filters and rules," says Andres M Bran, the first author of the Synthegy paper published in Matter.

From Science Daily • May 5, 2026

Bloom’s case had been set for trial in April, nearly three years after prosecutors first brought charges in 2023, but medical complications delayed the proceedings after only one witness took the stand.

From Los Angeles Times • May 5, 2026

She will visit the historic northern city of Reggio Emilia, her first overseas royal trip since undergoing cancer treatment - with her last being Boston in the US in December 2022, accompanying Prince William.

From BBC • May 5, 2026

The company, which makes connectivity products for the semiconductor sector, reported revenue of $308 million for the first quarter, up 93% from a year ago and above the $292 million FactSet consensus.

From MarketWatch • May 5, 2026

She’d come up with the idea for their first post and later been integral to their first efforts going viral.

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