first

1 of 3

adjective

ˈfərst 

: preceding all others in time, order, or importance

the first arrivals

my first try

first prize

Take your first left.

: such as

a

: earliest

will fix these errors at the first opportunity

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

paid them first

finished first in the race

I love my job, but my family comes first.

b

: as the first thing to be mentioned

—often used with of all or off

First of all, thank you for coming.

c

: for the first time

loved her when I first saw her

2

: in preference to something else

Surrender? We'll die first.

see also:

first come, first served

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

The transplant was a medical first.

b

: the position of the winner in a competition

took first in the contest

c

: the first forward gear or speed of a motor vehicle

d

: the highest or chief voice or instrument of a group

e

: an article of commerce of the finest grade

3

: first base

see also:

at first

Synonyms of first

Adjective

• initial
• inaugural
• original
• foremost
• earliest
• maiden

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

The first American pope was elected on the fourth ballot with 108 votes, with Parolin as runner-up, O’Connell says. —Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 1 Mar. 2026

Try a slower pace for the first hour, and notice how patience steadies your focus and keeps distractions from running the show. —Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 1 Mar. 2026

Adverb

They were awarded the top seeds in the eight-team bracket after each finished first in its league. —Steve Galluzzo, Los Angeles Times, 28 Feb. 2026

But Mohammed Jaber, along with several audience members, expressed frustration progress hasn’t been made since adding the language was first proposed in 2023. —Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2026

Noun

A lot of debuts, a lot of firsts for a lot of guys. —Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 25 Feb. 2026

Also in 2022, Russell Wilson cost the Denver Broncos two firsts, two seconds and a player; Sam Darnold’s transfer from the Jets to the Panthers elicited three picks (second, fourth and sixth rounders); and, Baker Mayfield fetched a fourth-round, conditional pick for Cleveland’s deal with Carolina. —Cam Inman, Mercury News, 23 Feb. 2026

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/earliest opportunity
• 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

Rhymes for first

• burst
• cursed
• curst
• durst
• hirst
• nursed
• pursed
• thirst
• versed
• worst
• amerced
• cloudburst

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