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first

first

∞ 1.0
Before anything else or at the beginning
  • adverb
  • /fɜrst/
translation icon : primero
  • Now, First things first, why are you not working?
  • put people first
  • first and foremost
  • first, then

I'm going to Swatch it here first so it's my hand.

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Examples

  • When planning ways to include technology, teachers should first consider their lesson objectives.

    Academic text (2011)

  • You should read the instructions first before starting the test.

  • What I want to do first is get the cost.

  • And let's try to imagine first what can happen.

    MIT OpenCourseWare

  • First we'll have a drink.

    The Man Who Fell to Earth (1976)

  • So first let's explain to everyone what's going on here.

    #No_Filter (2022)

  • Students can be shown the drawing first before being asked to visualize what it would look like.

    Academic text (2011)

  • I begin with the societal perspective by looking first at history, in particular the 20th century.

    Academic text (2011)

  • Many nurses will prefer that a GP first examine the patient and confirm a diagnosis.

    Academic text (2011)

  • In order to be climate change literate, the public must first be media literate.

    Academic text (2011)

Synonyms

at first
vsfirst
984 1.0

In the beginning before things change

is more general about order or importance rather than change over time
first of all
vsfirst
890 1.0

To say the first or most important point at the start of a talk

applies broadly to order time or importance rather than only speech
originally
vsfirst
543 2.0

At first, before later changes

is the general term for order time or importance not only origin
initially
vsfirst
395 3.2

At first, before things change

is broader also covering priority or importance not only time
to begin with
vsfirst
274 2.3

At the start before anything else happens

covers any order time or importance beyond just the start
first off
vsfirst
  • Informal
77 2.8

To say something before you do anything else

is used more generally for order time or importance
first up
vsfirst
  • Informal
52 3.7

To say which person or thing comes first

focuses on broader priority or early time rather than only listing
firstly
vsfirst
50 1.0

To give the first reason or point in a list

is the general term for beginning order or importance

Antonyms

last
∞ 1.0

At the end and cannot be changed

subsequent
171 4.4

Happening after something else in time

Idioms

at first
984 1.0

In the beginning before things change

first of all
890 1.0

To say the first or most important point at the start of a talk

in the first place
551 3.4

To give the main or first reason

at first sight
78 3.3

When you first see something and notice or feel something right away

first off
  • Informal
77 2.8

To say something before you do anything else

first up
  • Informal
52 3.7

To say which person or thing comes first

love at first sight
36 3.4

A strong feeling for someone the first time you see them

at first glance
32 3.5

You notice something before you look more closely

on the first try
7 3.1

Succeeding the first time you try something

to cast the first stone
  • Literature
6 7.7

To be the first to criticize someone when you have the same fault

to get to first base
  • Informal
4 7.7

To make the first real progress in work or a relationship

at first blush
3 6.8

When you first look at something, it seems right before you check details

first come, first served
3 3.2

People are helped in the order they arrive with no exceptions

to shoot first and ask questions later
  • Informal
3 8.4

Act quickly without thinking or checking facts

first among equals
  • Formal
2 7.3

The most important person in a group of people who have the same position

first blush
  • Informal
1 6.6

An early opinion before careful thought

first port of call
1 3.9

The first place you go to for help or information

not (one's) first rodeo
  • Informal
1 9.9

Experienced and not new to a task or situation

of the first water
  • Archaic
1 9.9

Of very high quality, like the best examples

at first hand
1 3.5

Directly from the person, place, or event involved

feet first
  • Informal
1 5.3

Entering a new situation eagerly and without hesitation

first and last
  • Formal
1 5.3

In a way that shows something is most important

to go with one's first instinct
  • Informal
1 5.3

Decide using your first feeling instead of thinking too much

on first-name terms
1 4.3

People are friendly and call each other by their first names

to play first fiddle
  • Informal
1 7.3

To lead a group or activity as the most important person

first and last of its kind
8.5

A unique thing or event that will never happen again

first of never
  • Informal
9.9

People say this to show that something will not happen

jewel of the first water
  • Archaic
9.9

A person or thing of the very highest quality

scholar of the first water
  • Archaic
9.9

A very respected expert with deep knowledge of a subject

Compounds

first time
∞ 1.0

An occasion when someone does or experiences something they have not done before

first lady
379 3.0

The wife of a president or other top government leader

first place
343 2.1

The top position in a competition or race

first step
281 1.4

The first action you take to begin something

first name
178 1.0

A name given at birth used before the family name

first-year
170 3.0

A person who started school, college, or a job this year

first person
135 1.6

The pronoun and verb form a speaker uses to talk about themselves like I and we

first round
131 2.5

The first set of matches in a competition where all players or teams play

first half
126 1.0

The first period of a game when play is split into two equal parts

First Amendment
  • US
116 4.0

An amendment to the U.S. Constitution that protects freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and the right to petition

first floor
65 1.1

The floor at ground level in American English and the floor above the ground floor in British English

first aid
61 2.0

Help given quickly to a sick or injured person before a doctor arrives

first class
53 3.4

The most comfortable and expensive seats on a plane, train, or ship

first-rate
49 3.8

Very high quality or done very well

first-class
49 3.4

Of the highest quality and very good

first love
43 3.2

The first person you have strong romantic feelings for

first class
35 3.7

In the most comfortable and expensive way when you travel

first light
34 1.7

The time in the morning when the sky starts to get bright

first prize
32 1.0

The top award given to the winner in a competition

first degree
  • Specialized
31 6.7

An equation or polynomial with no power higher than one

first-aid kit
30 1.8

A box or bag with bandages and medicine to treat injuries

first team
  • UK
27 3.3

The main college or university sports team made of the best players

first appearance
27 3.5

The first time a person or thing is seen in public, often in a new role

First World War
24 2.8

A large war in Europe from 1914 to 1918 between many countries, also called World War I

first attempt
23 1.9

A first try to do something new

first clue
20 2.3

An early sign that helps you notice or find something

first quarter
  • Specialized
20 3.2

The time when the Moon looks half lit about one week after the new moon

first baseman
  • US
18 3.6

A player at first base who catches throws to get runners out

first cousin
17 1.0

A child of your aunt or uncle who shares a grandparent with you

first birthday
16 1.0

A party to celebrate a child's first year

first mate
  • Specialized
15 5.0

An officer just below the captain in charge of the crew and deck work

first period
15 2.0

The first part of the playing time in a game, for example in hockey or basketball

first base
  • US
14 3.1

A player who stands at first base to catch throws and get runners out

first trimester
  • Specialized
14 3.1

The first three months of pregnancy when the baby starts to grow

first language
12 2.2

The language a person learns from birth and speaks at home

first base
  • US
12 2.4

The first of four points on the field that a runner must touch to score

first class
9 2.2

A mail service that gives letters and small packages faster delivery

first base
  • Informal
8 4.4

An early step toward reaching a goal

first sergeant
  • Jargon
8 7.7

A senior soldier who helps manage a company and handles records and daily tasks

first principles
  • Formal
7 5.8

Basic ideas and facts that form the foundation of a subject

first-string
5 6.0

A main player who regularly starts games and is not a substitute

first strike
  • NSFW
4 8.6

A surprise attack with nuclear weapons to destroy an enemy's ability to fight back

sergeant first class
  • Specialized
4 5.5

A senior Army soldier who leads and trains other soldiers

first hurdle
4 4.1

The first problem you must solve to start a task

first lieutenant
  • Jargon
4 5.3

A military officer who is one rank below a captain

first-time caller
4 3.7

A person who calls a radio or TV show for the first time

first class
3 3.2

The highest rank or grade given for very good work

first symptom
3 3.3

The earliest sign that shows you have an illness

first gear
3 2.8

A gear in a car that makes the car move slowly when you start

first reading
  • Formal
3 6.2

Members of parliament read a bill for the first time before full debate

first lady
3 3.5

A very famous and respected woman in a field like music or theatre

first frost
  • UK
3 3.5

The first time in a season when a thin layer of ice forms on plants overnight

first offender
3 4.4

A person found guilty of a crime for the first time

first strike
  • Specialized
3 5.0

An attack launched early to stop a threat that is about to happen, for example in war or computer attacks

first commandment
2 6.8

The most important rule to follow in a group or activity

first mortgage
  • Specialized
2 5.1

A loan on a house that must be paid before other loans if the owner cannot pay

first cause
  • Formal
2 9.9

A being or force believed to be the original reason everything exists and was not made by anything

first-aid station
2 3.4

A place where people get quick medical help before hospital care

first-place finish
2 3.5

Winning a race or contest by coming first

first gentleman
  • Formal
1 7.2

Husband of a woman leader who acts as the official host at state events

first-class mail
  • Formal
1 2.2

A fast mail service for letters and small packages that is delivered before other mail

First Crusade
1 9.9

A military campaign by Western European Christians from 1096 to 1099 to capture Jerusalem, creating states ruled by Western Christians

first moment
  • Specialized
1 7.2

The average of a set of numbers that you get by adding them and dividing by how many there are

first-degree burn
  • Specialized
1 3.4

A mild injury to the top layer of the skin that causes redness and pain without blisters

First of May
1 3.8

A holiday on 1 May that celebrates spring festivals and workers

first law of thermodynamics
  • Specialized
1 4.5

Total energy in a place where nothing enters or leaves stays the same while it changes form

first loser
  • Informal
1 7.9

A person or team that finishes second in a competition

first-time user
1 2.8

A person using something for the first time

first-rate education
1 3.7

A high quality school or university training that gives strong knowledge and skills

Newton's first law
  • Specialized
1 4.1

An object stays still or keeps moving at the same speed and direction unless a force acts on it

First Amendment to the United States Constitution
  • Formal
1 3.3

A law that protects freedom of speech, religion, the press, assembly, and petition

first derivative
  • Specialized
1 7.9

How fast one value changes compared with another at a particular point

first law of motion
  • Specialized
1 4.1

An object stays still or keeps moving at the same speed and direction unless a force acts on it

How Early

first
∞ 1.0
early
∞ 1.0
middle
∞ 1.0
later
1.0
last
64 1.0

Surface Forms

first positive

Etymology

First comes from the old English fyrst and is related to fore 'before', so used as an adverb it means 'before anything else' or 'at the beginning'.