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.

The DIP was first expected to be published in the autumn.

From BBC • Jun. 11, 2026

A steep drop in the first few years of retirement, while you’re pulling money out to live on, can permanently cripple a portfolio even after the market recovers.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 11, 2026

Whatever the origin story, fans will be reassured to know they'll be hearing them when the band play their first proper gig in two decades later this year.

From BBC • Jun. 11, 2026

Official data shows Indonesia's economy expanding 5.6 percent in the first quarter of 2026, but economists have expressed doubts about the accuracy of the figure.

From Barron's • Jun. 11, 2026

They’d left a life in Japan and had no idea what they were doing in Taiwan in the first place.

From "At Last She Stood" by Erin Entrada Kelly

first

Example Sentences

Related Words