number one

²number one

adj

Definition of NUMBER ONE

1

: first in rank, importance, or influence : foremost <cancer is the country's number one killer> —often written No. 1

2

: of highest or of high quality

Examples of NUMBER ONE

1. The book is the company's number one seller.
2. Rule number one is don't get caught!
3. He's public enemy number one: the nation's most wanted criminal.

First Known Use of NUMBER ONE

1839

Related to NUMBER ONE

Synonyms: arch, big, capital, cardinal, central, chief, dominant, first, grand, great, greatest, highest, key, leading, main, master, foremost (also No. 1), numero uno, overbearing, overmastering, overriding, paramount, predominant, preeminent, premier, primal, primary, principal, prior, sovereign (also sovran), supreme

Antonyms: last, least

Related Words: distinguished, eminent, illustrious, noble, notable, noteworthy, outstanding, prestigious, signal, star, stellar, superior; high-level, senior, top; important, influential, major, mighty, momentous, significant; incomparable, matchless, unequaled (or unequalled), unparalleled, unsurpassed; celebrated, famed, famous, renowned

Near Antonyms: inconsequential, inconsiderable, insignificant, minor, negligible, slight, trifling, trivial, unimportant; collateral, inferior, secondary, subordinate, subsidiary

see all synonyms and antonyms

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