first-class

1 of 2

adjective

ˈfərs(t)-ˈklas 

1

: of or relating to first class

2

: of the highest quality

a first-class meal

first-class adverb

first class

2 of 2

noun

: the first or highest group in a classification: such as

a

: the highest of usually three classes of travel accommodations

b

: a class of mail that comprises letters, postcards, or matter sealed against inspection

Synonyms

Adjective

• 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-rate
• first-string
• 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-class in a Sentence

Adjective

a first-class production of a classic American musical

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

JetBlue — The airline advanced 11% after revealing plans to add domestic first-class seats to planes that do not have the existing top-tier Mint class, beginning in 2026. —Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 11 Dec. 2024

How to get in: Travelers with an eligible first-class ticket with a Oneworld airline can enter the Qantas First Class Lounge. —Chris Dong, Los Angeles Times, 11 Dec. 2024

Noun

From giveaways to paying up About 15 years ago, travelers were paying for seats in just 12% of Delta’s domestic first class. —Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 14 Dec. 2024

JetBlue will introduce a brand-new first class cabin on domestic flights in 2026, offering a larger seat and more legroom at the front of the cabin. —Alison Fox, Travel + Leisure, 12 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1819, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1616, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

first-class

1 of 2 adjective

1

: of or relating to first class

2

: of the highest quality : excellent

a first-class meal

first class

2 of 2 noun

: the best or highest group in a classification