: of the first order of size, importance, or quality
first-rateness
noun
: very well
is getting along first-rate—
Mark Twain
Mark Twain
Synonyms
Adjective
- 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-string
- 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-rate in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the WebJon Wilner, The Mercury News, 10 Apr. 2024
The cuisine is first-rate, with Chef Roland Lamprecht’s fare drawn from the surrounding forest.
—Jemima Sissons, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Apr. 2024
The crew, obviously putting forward their best effort during the inaugural flight, were first-rate, the food was excellent, and the seating worked well considering the length of the trip.
—Rachel Dube, Robb Report, 3 Apr. 2024
This venture reflects Ryan's dedication to first-rate customer service and his adaptability in the digital realm.
—Tyler Shepherd, USA TODAY, 1 Apr. 2024
Chun has a stellar track record for hiring coaches, possesses first-rate fundraising chops and understands the roiling college sports landscape as well as anyone from his work on the NCAA transformation committee.
—Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2024
Our crew pushing bounds and creating set pieces, outfits, hairstyles, and music that were often unexpected and always first-rate.
—Nardine Saad, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2024
The Sun Devils don’t have a high-end NIL game or a first-rate arena.
—Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 17 Mar. 2024
Also first-rate, in Nickel’s view: his clientele, many of whom work in nearby high-tech firms and government offices.
—Peter Rowe, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Mar. 2024
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
In a career that stretched across more than six decades, Shorter established himself as a singular tenor and soprano saxophonist, brilliant composer, fearless improviser and first-rate band leader.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Mar. 2023
Casting is also first-rate, with a string of vivid performances by actors who are not household names but who all meet the demands of their roles.
—Stephen Farber, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Feb. 2023
The concept is tried and tested: top-notch classic Italian dishes made from first-rate produce.
—Isabelle Kliger, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2023
Alongside them in the chute will be a competitive cluster of first-rate mushers with plenty of top-10 finishes each, including Jessie Royer, Wade Marrs, Richie Diehl, Matt Hall, Mille Porsild and Jessie Holmes.
—Zachariah Hughes, Anchorage Daily News, 22 Feb. 2023
United by a love of the region’s first-rate produce, this community of chefs, restaurateurs, and hoteliers is equally committed to supporting one another.
—Eliza Dumais, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Feb. 2023
Careful site planning means that walking among these ruins really does feel like stepping into the past, and the adjacent archaeological museum is first-rate.
—Elizabeth Heath, Travel + Leisure, 15 Feb. 2023
Adjective
Coach Leon Rice quietly does a first-rate job, year after year.
6.
—Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 10 Apr. 2024
The cuisine is first-rate, with Chef Roland Lamprecht’s fare drawn from the surrounding forest.
—Jemima Sissons, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Apr. 2024
The crew, obviously putting forward their best effort during the inaugural flight, were first-rate, the food was excellent, and the seating worked well considering the length of the trip.
—Rachel Dube, Robb Report, 3 Apr. 2024
This venture reflects Ryan's dedication to first-rate customer service and his adaptability in the digital realm.
—Tyler Shepherd, USA TODAY, 1 Apr. 2024
Chun has a stellar track record for hiring coaches, possesses first-rate fundraising chops and understands the roiling college sports landscape as well as anyone from his work on the NCAA transformation committee.
—Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2024
Our crew pushing bounds and creating set pieces, outfits, hairstyles, and music that were often unexpected and always first-rate.
—Nardine Saad, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2024
The Sun Devils don’t have a high-end NIL game or a first-rate arena.
—Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 17 Mar. 2024
Also first-rate, in Nickel’s view: his clientele, many of whom work in nearby high-tech firms and government offices.
—Peter Rowe, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Mar. 2024
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
In a career that stretched across more than six decades, Shorter established himself as a singular tenor and soprano saxophonist, brilliant composer, fearless improviser and first-rate band leader.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Mar. 2023
Casting is also first-rate, with a string of vivid performances by actors who are not household names but who all meet the demands of their roles.
—Stephen Farber, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Feb. 2023
The concept is tried and tested: top-notch classic Italian dishes made from first-rate produce.
—Isabelle Kliger, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2023
Alongside them in the chute will be a competitive cluster of first-rate mushers with plenty of top-10 finishes each, including Jessie Royer, Wade Marrs, Richie Diehl, Matt Hall, Mille Porsild and Jessie Holmes.
—Zachariah Hughes, Anchorage Daily News, 22 Feb. 2023
United by a love of the region’s first-rate produce, this community of chefs, restaurateurs, and hoteliers is equally committed to supporting one another.
—Eliza Dumais, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Feb. 2023
Careful site planning means that walking among these ruins really does feel like stepping into the past, and the adjacent archaeological museum is first-rate.
—Elizabeth Heath, Travel + Leisure, 15 Feb. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'first-rate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Dictionary Entries Near first-rate
Cite this Entry
“First-rate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/first-rate. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
first-rate
adjectiveˈfərst-ˈrāt
: of the first order of size, importance, or quality
first-rate
adverb
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