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

Each performance follows its own particular flight path, and this year’s opening concert on Sunday, June 21 upgrades to first-class accommodations at Bing Concert Hall. —Andrew Gilbert, Mercury News, 18 June 2026

In a video posted to Instagram June 13, the silhouette of a rodent can be seen running between the overhead bins and light fixtures in the first-class section of a JetBlue flight. —Drew Pittock, USA Today, 17 June 2026

Noun

People board not in their group, people who are not first class, Concierge Key, or Delta One will board first. —Zach Wichter, USA Today, 17 June 2026

The main benefit of sitting in first class is that you might still be served free cocktails, while a coach passenger is left with a puny bag of carbs, one cup of soda, and complimentary (for now) trash collection. —Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 12 June 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
• crabgrass
• crevasse
• eelgrass
• eyeglass
• groundmass
• harass
• impasse
• jackass

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