first-string

adjective

ˈfərs(t)-ˈstriŋ 

1

: being a regular as distinguished from a substitute (as on a team)

2

: first-rate

first-stringer

ˈfərs(t)-ˈstriŋ-ər 

noun

Synonyms

• A-OK
• A1
• awesome
• bang-up
• banner
• beautiful
• blue-chip
• blue-ribbon
• boffo
• bonny [chiefly British]
• bonnie
• boss [slang]
• brag
• brave
• bully
• bumper
• capital
• choice
• classic
• cool [slang]
• corking
• crackerjack
• cracking
• dandy
• divine
• dope [slang]
• down [slang]
• dynamite
• excellent
• fab
• fabulous
• famous
• fantabulous [slang]
• fantastic
• fine
• first-class
• first-rate
• five-star
• four-star
• frontline
• gangbusters
• gangbuster
• gilt-edged
• gilt-edge
• gone [slang]
• grand
• great
• groovy
• heavenly
• high-class
• hot
• hype [slang]
• immense
• jim-dandy
• keen
• lovely
• marvelous
• marvellous
• mean
• neat
• nifty
• noble
• number one
• No. 1
• numero uno
• out-of-sight [slang]
• par excellence
• peachy
• peachy keen
• phat [slang]
• prime
• primo [slang]
• prize
• prizewinning
• quality
• radical [slang]
• righteous [slang]
• sensational
• slick
• splendid
• stellar
• sterling
• superb
• superior
• superlative
• supernal
• swell
• terrific
• tip-top
• top
• top-notch
• top-of-the-line
• top-shelf
• topflight
• topping [chiefly British]
• unsurpassed
• wizard [chiefly British]
• wonderful

Examples of first-string in a Sentence

a first-string rendition of the musical piece

Recent Examples on the Web

As first-string quarterback Claire Heisinger watched on crutches from the sideline, Addison Kloch, who is an elite golfer, filled in admirably for the Chargers. —Steve Galluzzo, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2024

Martin, a redshirt sophomore, took first-string snaps in practice, every repetition coveted by a player who has thrown all of five passes in college. —Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2024

Darnold can surely draw on his scout-team duties against the 49ers’ first-string defense last season and vice versa. —Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 14 Sep. 2024

Wednesday’s first-string receivers were Samuel and Chris Conley. —Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 14 Aug. 2024

As of now, the first-string edge rushers appear to be Jacob Busic and Devin Aupiu, with Drew Tuazama and Grant Buckey backing them up. —Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 11 Aug. 2024

Puni has been the first-string right guard since the third practice of camp, after Spencer Burford sustained a fractured right hand that has not required surgery. —Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 9 Aug. 2024

Fittingly, Van Roten arrived on a day when Jones and the Giants’ first-string offensive line had a disastrous and discouraging practice, reinforcing the new signing’s need. —Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 30 July 2024

George Odum, a special teams ace, has flourished with Brown as a first-string option, while Hufanga works his way off the Physically Unable To Perform list for a potential return next week in joint practices. —Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 30 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1892, in the meaning defined at sense 1