first-rate

1 of 2

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 2

adverb

: very well

… is getting along first-rate …

—Mark Twain

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

Dubbed the Isle of Eight Flags, Amelia Island’s beautiful beaches, winding waterways, and dense maritime forests are first-rate examples of why this land has always been so desirable. — Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 21 June 2026

Kudos to the fans in Seattle for making a first-rate environment, and to the USMNT for a performance that was worthy of it. — Alex Kirshner, New York Times, 20 June 2026

Adverb

Belgium is famous for its first-rate beer, frites and seafood — but Cult, one of the city’s newest dining hot spots, bucks the trend. — New York Times, 16 July 2026

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

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1674, in the meaning defined above

Adverb

1844, 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