number one

¹number one

noun

Definition of NUMBER ONE

1

: one's own interests or welfare : oneself <looking out for number one> —often written No. 1

2

: one that is first in rank, importance, or influence —often written No. 1

Examples of NUMBER ONE

1. Who's number one in this office?
2. Getting the car fixed is number one on my list of priorities.
3. I'll tell you why we can't go on a vacation: number one, we can't afford it, and number two, we'll miss my sister's party.
4. Her movie is currently number one at the box office.
5. When the goal was scored, the fans started to chant, “We're number one, we're number one.”
6. I've been taking care of other people for too long. It's time for me to take care of number one.

First Known Use of NUMBER ONE

circa 1705

²number one

adjective

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