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Definitions

first of all

ADVERB
first off
Synonyms
WEAK
first thing firstly foremost immediately in the first place primo up front
ADVERB
principally
Synonyms
STRONGEST
basically chiefly first and foremost generally importantly largely mostly notably particularly predominantly
STRONG
primarily
WEAK
above all before anything else cardinally dominantly eminently especially essentially for the most part fundamentally in the first place in the main materially peculiarly preeminently prevailingly prevalently substantially superlatively supremely to a great degree universally vitally
Antonyms
WEAK
secondarily trivially

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.

My key focus is, first of all, to build a company that can exist as an independent company that delivers long-term, durable, sustainable growth.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

They tell hikers, first of all, to stay on the marked trails.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 23, 2026

You have to, first of all, for PR purposes, make everybody think they’re going to be accountable for everything going forward.

From Slate • Feb. 17, 2026

"You want somebody who first of all has a connection to Strictly, and secondly who cares about people because ultimately it's about people, it's about the dancers," she said.

From BBC • Jan. 26, 2026

‘I can! I swear I can! But first of all, let me ask you a very important question. Here it is. Can you make a person dream absolutely anything in the world?’

From "The BFG" by Roald Dahl