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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.

Tom Lee, managing partner and head of research at Fundstrat, told clients on Wednesday that there were four major takeaways from the hearing, with independence being the first.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 22, 2026

In the first half of his first game back, Tatum flubbed a dunk and O’Malley winced.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 22, 2026

Mike Tomlin appears to have his first post-coaching gig lined up.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 2026

And so California moved first and set the model for Virginia to follow.

From Slate • Apr. 22, 2026

I suck in a breath when I see that one of the first on the list is The New York Times.

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam