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.

While each has been studied on its own, this is the first time they have been merged into a single system.

From Science Daily • Apr. 13, 2026

His suspension covered the first half of the 2025 season.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2026

Had I only been given the recipe, had I not tasted it first, I know I would have dismissed it without a second glance.

From Salon • Apr. 13, 2026

But that late Aguero drama confirmed the blue side of the city could celebrate a first Premier League crown.

From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026

Needless to say, I was late for first period world history.

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam