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

The Texas Eagle uses bi-level Superliner cars with first-class private rooms, a dining car that serves full meals, and a Sightseer Lounge car, or observation car, with floor-to-ceiling windows. —Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 23 May 2026

Drag stars Ginger Minj and Jujubee climb abroad as train attendants who tangle with the snooty first-class crew. —Randy Myers, Mercury News, 23 May 2026

Noun

Options range from standard seating to first class, and no special reservation is required beyond a valid ticket. —Taryn White, Travel + Leisure, 18 May 2026

After the first class presented it to Fasano, students made sure the story would continue by leaving empty pages for future classes to fill. —Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 17 May 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