first-string

adjective

ˈfərs(t)-ˈstriŋ 

1

: being a regular as distinguished from a substitute (as on a team)

2

: first-rate

first-stringer

ˈfərs(t)-ˈstriŋ-ər 

noun

Synonyms

• A-OK
• A1
• awesome
• bang-up
• banner
• beautiful
• blue-chip
• blue-ribbon
• boffo
• bonny [chiefly British]
• bonnie
• boss [slang]
• brag
• brave
• bully
• bumper
• capital
• choice
• classic
• cool [slang]
• corking
• crackerjack
• cracking
• dandy
• divine
• dope [slang]
• down [slang]
• dynamite
• excellent
• fab
• fabulous
• famous
• fantabulous [slang]
• fantastic
• fine
• first-class
• first-rate
• five-star
• four-star
• frontline
• gangbusters
• gangbuster
• gilt-edged
• gilt-edge
• gone [slang]
• grand
• great
• groovy
• heavenly
• high-class
• hot
• hype [slang]
• immense
• jim-dandy
• keen
• lovely
• marvelous
• marvellous
• mean
• neat
• nifty
• noble
• number one
• No. 1
• numero uno
• out-of-sight [slang]
• par excellence
• peachy
• peachy keen
• phat [slang]
• prime
• primo [slang]
• prize
• prizewinning
• quality
• radical [slang]
• righteous [slang]
• sensational
• slick
• splendid
• stellar
• sterling
• superb
• superior
• superlative
• supernal
• swell
• terrific
• tip-top
• top
• top-notch
• top-of-the-line
• top-shelf
• topflight
• topping [chiefly British]
• unsurpassed
• wizard [chiefly British]
• wonderful

Examples of first-string in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Darnold lost that finale against the Rams 21-20 as the 49ers pulled their first-string unit, dropping his record as an NFL starter to 21-35, the crux of which came his first three seasons as the New York Jets’ No. 3 overall pick in 2018. —Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 12 Mar. 2024

Now this starting group is piling up good vs. good reps against the first-string defense. —Nathan Baird, cleveland, 13 Sep. 2023

Is there any correlation between teams that played their first-string players in preseason games and Week 1 victories? — FoodyGuy, via Twitter Interesting question. —Christopher Price, BostonGlobe.com, 12 Sep. 2023

However, freshman Malik Hartford worked with the first-string defense in the 7 on 7 and 11 on 11 portions. —Nathan Baird, cleveland, 9 Sep. 2023

Again, the Ravens haven’t played their first-string defenders yet, but Washington quarterback Sam Howell and Tampa Bay’s Kyle Trask were pretty impressive against Baltimore in the past two preseason games. —Mike Preston, Baltimore Sun, 29 Aug. 2023

The bigger question remains how much of a role a third running back might have with the first-string offense. —Nathan Baird, cleveland, 24 Aug. 2023

Offensive line coach Justin Frye will start auditioning potential starters after losing three first-string guys from last year's team. —Mitch Stacy, ajc, 6 Mar. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1892, in the meaning defined at sense 1