first-class

1 of 2

adjective

ˈfərs(t)-ˈklas 

1

: of or relating to first class

2

: of the highest quality

a first-class meal

first-class adverb

first class

2 of 2

noun

: the first or highest group in a classification: such as

a

: the highest class of travel accommodations

b

: a class of mail that comprises letters, postcards, or matter sealed against inspection

Synonyms of first-class

Adjective

• excellent
• superb
• wonderful
• terrific
• great
• lovely
• beautiful
• fantastic
• awesome
• fabulous
• stellar
• prime
• marvelous
• fine
• quality

Examples of first-class in a Sentence

Adjective

a first-class production of a classic American musical

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

JetBlue Airways, which was a pioneer in offering lie-flat seats and suites on its narrow-body Airbus fleet, plans to offer a less elaborate domestic first-class cabin later this year. —Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 24 Mar. 2026

Being able to lie down flat and stretch your legs on a long-haul flight will no longer be a luxury exclusive to business and first-class passengers on United Airlines. —Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 24 Mar. 2026

Noun

Months after unveiling plans for a new Jewish high school in downtown Chicago, the project’s founders have found their inaugural head of school and secured a still-under-construction building ahead of its first class, slated for fall 2027. —Grace Gilson, Sun Sentinel, 30 Mar. 2026

During the pandemic, first class faced an uncertain future. —Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 28 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1819, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1616, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for first-class

• alas
• amass
• bromegrass
• bypass
• chagas
• crabgrass
• crevasse
• eelgrass
• eyeglass
• groundmass
• harass
• impasse

Kids Definition

first-class

1 of 2 adjective

1

: of or relating to first class

2

: of the highest quality : excellent

a first-class meal

first class

2 of 2 noun

: the best or highest group in a classification