first

/fə:st/
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first

The runner crosses the finish line first.

Definition

  1. Adjective:

    • Coming before all others in order, time, or importance: The initial item in a sequence or the most prominent in rank.
    • Highest in pitch among musical parts: The leading or highest-pitched part in a musical ensemble.
    • Serving to begin or initiate: Marking the start of something.

  2. Adverb:

    • Before anything or anyone else in time, order, or importance: Initially or at the beginning.
    • For the first time: On the initial occasion.
    • With preference or priority: Used to indicate a choice or precedence.

  3. Noun:

    • The person or thing coming before all others: The initial member in a series.
    • The beginning or start: The point in time when something commences.
    • The winning position in a competition: The place of the champion.
    • The lowest forward gear in a vehicle: The gear used to start moving.
    • A first-class honours degree: The highest classification for a British university degree.
Usage Examples

  • Adjective:

    • She won the first prize. (She received the top award.)
    • This is my first time visiting London. (This is my initial visit to London.)
    • The first chapter introduces the main character. (The initial chapter presents the protagonist.)

  • Adverb:

    • You must wash your hands first. (You need to wash your hands before doing anything else.)
    • I first met her in 2010. (My initial meeting with her occurred in 2010.)
    • "Safety first," he said. (He emphasized that safety has the highest priority.)

  • Noun:

    • He was the first to arrive. (He was the initial person to get there.)
    • From the first, I knew it was a mistake. (From the very beginning, I was aware it was an error.)
    • She put the car into first. (She engaged the lowest gear to start moving.)
Advanced Usage

  • "First among equals": The person who is officially equal to others but is unofficially the most important or senior.

    • The prime minister is often considered first among equals in the cabinet.

  • "In the first instance": At the beginning or as the first step in a process.

    • Please apply to the manager in the first instance.

  • "First off": An informal phrase meaning 'firstly' or 'to begin with'.

    • First off, I'd like to thank everyone for coming.
Variants and Related Words

  • Firstly (adv): Used to introduce a first point or reason (often in lists).

    • Firstly, we need to assess the damage.

  • Firsthand (adj/adv): Received or experienced directly from the original source.

    • She had firsthand knowledge of the event. (Adjective)
    • He witnessed it firsthand. (Adverb)

  • First-rate (adj): Of the highest quality; excellent.

    • It was a first-rate performance.
Synonyms
  • Adjective/Adverb: Initial, primary, foremost, leading, premier, earliest.
  • Noun: Beginning, outset, start, inception.
Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

  • Come first: To be the most important priority.

    • My family will always come first.

  • Put someone/something first: To treat someone or something as the most important.

    • A good leader puts the team first.
Related Idioms

  • First and foremost: Most importantly; primarily.

    • First and foremost, we must ensure everyone's safety.

  • First come, first served: People will be dealt with in the order they arrive.

    • Tickets are available on a first come, first served basis.

  • At first glance/sight: Upon initial consideration or appearance.

    • At first glance, the solution seemed simple.
first

The runner crosses the finish line first.

Adjective
  1. highest in pitch or chief among parts or voices or instruments or orchestra sections
    • first soprano
    • the first violin section
    • played first horn
  2. ranking above all others
    • was first in her class
    • the foremost figure among marine artists
    • the top graduate
  3. serving to begin
    • the beginning canto of the poem
    • the first verse
  4. serving to set in motion
    • the magazine's inaugural issue
    • the initiative phase in the negotiations
    • an initiatory step toward a treaty
    • his first (or maiden) speech in Congress
    • the liner's maiden voyage
  5. indicating the beginning unit in a series
  6. preceding all others in time or space or degree
    • the first house on the right
    • the first day of spring
    • his first political race
    • her first baby
    • the first time
    • the first meetings of the new party
    • the first phase of his training
Adverb
  1. prominently forward
    • he put his best foot foremost
  2. before another in time, space, or importance
    • I was here first
    • let's do this job first
  3. the initial time
    • when Felix first saw a garter snake
  4. before anything else
    • first we must consider the garter snake
Noun
  1. the lowest forward gear ratio in the gear box of a motor vehicle; used to start a car moving
  2. an honours degree of the highest class
  3. the fielding position of the player on a baseball team who is stationed at first of the bases in the infield (counting counterclockwise from home plate)
  4. the time at which something is supposed to begin
    • they got an early start
    • she knew from the get-go that he was the man for her
  5. the first element in a countable series
    • the first of the month
  6. the first or highest in an ordering or series
    • He wanted to be the first

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