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 of usually three classes of travel accommodations

b

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

Synonyms

Adjective

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

Examples of first-class in a Sentence

Adjective

a first-class production of a classic American musical

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The United States Postal Service appears to be on track to raise the first-class Forever Stamp price as well as for other products in just over two weeks, a spokesperson for the federal agency confirmed to USA TODAY on June 26. —Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 27 June 2025

Completion of the remaining items is necessary to ensure the bridge is the first-class transportation structure the public deserves. —Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 June 2025

Noun

Somewhere in first class, Mavs owner Patrick Dumont and team president Rick Welts said the same thing. —Mac Engel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 June 2025

Saturdays, Oviedo Gym & Aquatics Facility, 148 Oviedo Blvd., Oviedo, first class free, then $5 per class, 407-971-5565. —Joe Rassel, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 June 2025

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