first-person

1 of 2

adjective

first-per·​son ˈfərs(t)-ˈpər-sᵊn How to pronounce first-person (audio)
variants or less commonly first person
1
: of, relating to, or occurring in the first person
a first-person narrative
a first-person verb form
2
: experienced as if through the eyes of an avatar (as in a video game)
As 3-D first-person games evolved, … visual verisimilitude improved …Ian Bogost
When playing as the lead guitarist in first person mode players will see fans react to how they play.Sean Michael
see also first-person shooter

first person

2 of 2

noun

1
a
: a set of linguistic forms (such as verb forms, pronouns, and inflectional affixes) referring to the speaker or writer of the utterance in which they occur
b
: a linguistic form belonging to such a set
c
: reference of a linguistic form to the speaker or writer of the utterance in which it occurs
2
: a style of discourse marked by general use of verbs and pronouns of the first person

Examples of first-person in a Sentence

Noun She always wrote in the first person. The sentence “I was born in Maine” is written in the first person.
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Adjective
The original first-person game revolves around an investigative journalist, Miles Upshur, who decides to investigate a remote psychiatric hospital named Mount Massive Asylum, in the mountains of Lake County, Colorado. Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 30 Oct. 2024 Other cost cutting included the cancelation of a high-profile Star Wars first-person shooter game. Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 29 Oct. 2024 Videos about first-person experiences got the most likes and views. Claire Bugos, Verywell Health, 21 Oct. 2024 Another narrative runs in tandem: a first-person series of reflections on Todd’s life and work, provoked and also marred—in their undulance and ellipsism—by his diagnosis of the degenerative brain disease known as Lewy body dementia. Randy Boyagoda, The Atlantic, 17 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for first-person 

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1751, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of first-person was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near first-person

first papers

first-person

first person

Cite this Entry

“First-person.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/first-person. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

first person

noun
1
: a set of words or forms (as pronouns or verb forms) referring to the person speaking or writing them
2
: a writing style making use of pronouns and verbs of the first person
first person narration
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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