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

Maryland trailed 22-15 after the first quarter then trimmed that deficit to just two entering halftime, erasing its slow start by closing the half on a 7-0 run and making its eventual comeback more manageable. —Taylor Lyons, Baltimore Sun, 18 Feb. 2025

With consumer spending making up about two-thirds of all economic activity in the U.S., the sales numbers indicate a potential weakening in growth for the first quarter. —Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 17 Feb. 2025

Adverb

The pup was first spotted outside a seafood restaurant on Saturday after reportedly wandering up from the beach. —David Matthews, New York Daily News, 19 Feb. 2025

President Donald Trump replaced King as acting commissioner with Leland Dudek, who has led Social Security's anti-fraud office, according to the Washington Post, which first reported King's exit. —Joey Garrison, USA TODAY, 19 Feb. 2025

Noun

Returning after their first games in Dusseldorf, Germany in 2023 is a team from Nigeria. Nigeria, which Harry and wife Meghan Markle visited in May 2024, is starting work on the new Invictus Centre in Abuja, which will be a global first for the foundation. —Simon Perry, People.com, 5 Feb. 2025

The last 12 months have been full of firsts for the De la Rosa brothers, better known as the musical trio Latin Mafia. —Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2025

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