first

1 of 3

adjective

ˈfərst 

: preceding all others in time, order, or importance: such as

a

: earliest

She won first prize.

his first girlfriend

b

: being the lowest forward gear or speed of a motor vehicle

couldn't get the car out of first gear

c

: having the highest or most prominent part among a group of similar voices or instruments

first violins

first

2 of 3

adverb

1

a

: before another in time, space, or importance

b

: in the first place

—often used with of all

c

: for the first time

2

: in preference to something else : sooner entry 2

first

3 of 3

noun

1

: one that is number one in a series see Table of Numbers

2

: something that is first: such as

a

: the first occurrence or item of a kind

b

: the first forward gear or speed of a motor vehicle

c

: the highest or chief voice or instrument of a group

d

: an article of commerce of the finest grade

e

: the winning or highest place in a competition, examination, or contest

3

: first base

Phrases

at first

: at the beginning : initially

Synonyms

Adjective

• earliest
• foremost
• headmost
• inaugural
• initial
• leadoff
• maiden
• original
• pioneer
• premier
• virgin

Adverb

• instead
• rather

Examples of first in a Sentence

Adjective

We sat in the first row.

She succeeded on her first attempt.

I still remember the first time I saw her.

Adverb

I have to pay him first.

These problems are not as simple as they first appear.

I loved her when I first saw her.

This word was first recorded in the 19th century.

We'll get started soon, but first we have to make sure everyone is here.

Noun

Her solo flight across the Atlantic was a remarkable first.

They were responsible for several engineering firsts.

I couldn't get the car out of first.

take a first in English

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

With the first season deemed successful and warmly received, the prospect of merging these two racing entities has become a possibility. —Andy Biggs, Newsweek, 26 Dec. 2024

Pearlman’s first round of NFL visits, in 2022, was a roaring success. —Justin Birnbaum, Forbes, 25 Dec. 2024

Adverb

From first seeing him as a burden, Charlie discovers an unbreakable brotherly bond with Raymond. —Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 26 Dec. 2024

Sloan, at first, never wants to return to his life. —Colin Fleming, New York Daily News, 26 Dec. 2024

Noun

This Christmas will see a series of firsts for Copper, including treats under the tree and plenty of cuddles in front of the fire. —Andy Biggs, Newsweek, 24 Dec. 2024

With a new format and more rounds, this year’s CFP will provide even more possibilities, close matchups, twists, turns – and even historical firsts. —Amy Woodyatt, CNN, 19 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective, Adverb, and Noun

Middle English, from Old English fyrst; akin to Old High German furist first, Old English faran to go — more at fare

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Adverb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing first

• airman first class
• at first
• at first blush
• at first glance
• at first hand
• at first sight
• at the first opportunity
• at the first sign
• come first
• face-first
• first aid
• first aid kit
• first among equals
• first and foremost
• first and last
• first base
• first cause
• first class
• first come, first serve
• first come, first served
• first cousin
• first day cover
• first-degree burn
• first-degree murder
• first dibs on
• first down
• first edition
• first estate
• first family
• first floor
• first gentleman
• first lady
• first law
• first lieutenant
• first light
• first-line
• first love
• first mate
• first mortgage
• first name
• first night
• first-nighter
• first off
• first offender
• first papers
• first person
• first-person shooter
• first pick
• first-rate
• first reading
• first responder
• first-run
• first sergeant
• first strike
• first-string
• first thing
• first things first
• first-time
• first water
• first world
• first world problem
• first year
• from the first
• get to first base
• in the first degree
• in the (first) flush of
• in the first instance
• in the first place
• last-in first-out
• make the first move
• not know the first thing about
• of the first rank
• on a first-come, first-served basis
• on a first-name basis
• on/at first acquaintance
• on first-name terms
• petty officer first class
• private first class
• put first things first
• safety first
• sergeant first class
• the first thing
• (the right of) first refusal

Kids Definition

first

1 of 3 adjective

ˈfərst 

1

: being number one in a series see number

2

: coming before all others in time, order, or importance: as

a

: being the earliest

b

: being the lowest forward gear or speed of a motor vehicle

c

: having or playing the principal part of a group of instruments

first oboe

first

2 of 3 adverb

1

a

: before any other in time, space, or importance

b

: for the first time

2

: rather than something else

surrender? We will die first

first

3 of 3 noun

1

: one that is number one in a series see number

2

a

: the first forward gear or speed of a motor vehicle

b

: the winning place in a competition or contest

3

: first base