first-rate

1 of 3

adjective

ˈfərs(t)-ˈrāt 

: of the first order of size, importance, or quality

a first-rate chef/book/education

Service there is always first-rate.

first-rateness noun

first-rater

ˈfərs(t)-ˈrā-tər 

noun

first-rate

2 of 3

adverb

: very well

… is getting along first-rate …

—Mark Twain

first-rater

3 of 3

noun

first-rat·​er

-ātə-

: one that is first-rate

in all reports a first-rater

—Charles Dickens

Synonyms of first-rate

Adjective

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

Examples of first-rate in a Sentence

Adjective

wanted a first-rate bike and not the cheap model she had been using

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Food and drink Sabora Tented Camp excels in the first-rate food and drink experience crucial to a luxury safari. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026

New York’s famous Atomic Wings are back in Texas, this time with a much better restaurant that showcases the first-rate chicken. —Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 June 2026

Adverb

The sushi is first-rate and the creative rolls include the Rainbow which manages to contains tuna, salmon, hamachi, shrimp and avocado. —Sherrie Nachman, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2023

The island is known for its outdoor experiences, including first-rate scuba diving at Jean Michel Cousteau Resort, kayaking Salt Lake in Vatudamu, and hiking to see Maroroya Falls. —Adrienne Jordan, Travel + Leisure, 3 Mar. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1674, in the meaning defined above

Adverb

1844, in the meaning defined above

Noun

circa 1760, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for first-rate

• abate
• airfreight
• await
• baseplate
• berate
• birthdate
• birthrate
• bookplate
• borate
• breastplate
• bromate
• casemate

Kids Definition

first-rate

adjective

ˈfərst-ˈrāt

: of the first order of size, importance, or quality

first-rate adverb