first
first — noun
1. the earliest person or thing in a fixed order or series, or the person or thing
the earliest person or thing in a fixed order or series, or the person or thing that does something before anyone else does it
Linh was the first to finish the exam and left the room quietly.
the first + to-infinitive = earliest person to act
This is the first of three novels about a boy who can see ghosts.
The first in the queue waved excitedly when the doors opened.
the first in + noun phrase = position in order
Look at the first in line — she has been waiting there since five this morning.
imperative with 'the first in [noun]' as object
Yumi was the first in her family to travel to another country.
the first in + possessive + to-infinitive
- first to arrive
- first to leave
- first of [something]
- first in line
- first in [one's] family
- last
the person or thing at the end of the order
Grammar Patterns
the first + to-infinitive
the first of + noun phrase
the first in + noun phrase
Common Mistakes
2. the person who is most ready to do or say something, especially something that o
the person who is most ready to do or say something, especially something that other people may be unwilling to say or admit
Ilan was the first to admit that his drawings were not very good.
the first + to-infinitive + that-clause
During the meeting, Zola was the first to agree that costs had to be cut.
Jessica would be the first to say that learning a new language takes time.
Would any of you be the first to admit the project was behind schedule?
question form: 'Would [person] be the first to [verb]...?'
- first to admit
- first to agree
- first to confess
- first to say
- quickest
more informal; emphasises speed rather than willingness
- most ready
literal paraphrase; less idiomatic
- last
the person who is least willing or takes the longest
Grammar Patterns
the first + to-infinitive + that-clause
Usage Note
Followed by a to-infinitive and often a that-clause, as in 'I'll be the first to admit that…'
Common Mistakes
3. the starting point or earliest stage of a situation or activity
the starting point or earliest stage of a situation or activity
From the first, Joaquín knew that the project would take many months.
from the first = from the beginning
The team understood from the first that training would be very hard.
From the first, the new puppy seemed to trust the children completely.
Linh said from the first that she wanted to learn both languages.
- from the first
- end
the final point of a process
Grammar Patterns
from the first
Usage Note
Almost always used in the fixed phrase 'from the first', which means 'from the very beginning'.
Common Mistakes
4. a musician or singer who performs the highest or leading part in a group, orches
a musician or singer who performs the highest or leading part in a group, orchestra, or choir
Élise played first violin for five years in the city orchestra.
first + instrument = lead player
Yan was chosen as first clarinet in the national youth band.
The first trumpet player raised the instrument and blew a loud note.
A good first violinist leads the section and sets the speed for everyone.
- first violin
- first trumpet
- first clarinet
- first soprano
- second
the player of the lower or supporting part
Grammar Patterns
first + instrument name
Usage Note
Often combined with the name of the instrument, e.g. 'first violin', 'first trumpet'. 'First violin' can refer to either the instrument part or the person who plays it.
Common Mistakes
5. an event or achievement that is completely new because nothing like it happened
an event or achievement that is completely new because nothing like it happened earlier
Walking on the moon was a first that changed how people saw the world.
a first = event never achieved before
For Anna, using a computer at age seventy was a complete first.
The company achieved a first by recycling all of its plastic waste.
Zola's climb of the mountain was a first for a woman from her small town.
a first for + [person/group]
- a first
- a first for
- achieve a first
- mark a first
- another first
- novelty
focuses on the quality of being new rather than the event itself
- breakthrough
suggests important progress in a field
- old news
informal phrase for something no longer new or surprising
Grammar Patterns
a first
a first for + noun phrase
Usage Note
Used with the indefinite article 'a' (or 'another', 'yet another'). This sense is common in news and achievement contexts.
Common Mistakes
6. the top grade of university degree, called a first-class honours degree, given a
the top grade of university degree, called a first-class honours degree, given at British universities and a few others around the world
Kabir was proud to graduate with a first in chemistry from Oxford.
a first = first-class honours degree (UK)
Jessica got a first in law and found a job at a large London firm.
To earn a first in economics, you must score above seventy percent.
Otis celebrated getting a first in engineering with his whole family.
get a first in + subject
- get a first
- graduate with a first
- a first in [subject]
- first-class degree
the full form of the term
- top marks
informal and not specific to degree classification
- third
the lowest passing grade in the UK honours system
Grammar Patterns
get a first
graduate with a first
a first in + subject
Usage Note
Short for 'first-class honours degree'. Used mainly in British English. In the UK degree classification system, a first is the top grade, above 'upper second' (2:1) and 'lower second' (2:2).
Common Mistakes
7. In a car or other vehicle, the lowest gear that provides the strongest pulling p
In a car or other vehicle, the lowest gear that provides the strongest pulling power for moving from a stop or traveling up a steep surface.
Rania shifted into first gear as the traffic light turned green.
shift into first gear
The driver put the car in first and slowly climbed the steep dirt road.
put the car in first (gear)
Diya's old car struggled even in first gear when starting on a snowy morning.
You need first gear to pull a heavy trailer up from a complete stop.
need first gear + infinitive of purpose
On the mountain road, Gabriel kept the truck in first gear the whole way up.
- shift into first gear
- put the car in first
- in first gear
- drop into first gear
- stay in first gear
- low gear
broader term that also includes second gear; 'first' is the most specific.
- bottom gear
British English term for the lowest gear.
- top gear
the highest gear, used for maximum speed rather than power.
Grammar Patterns
put the car in first
shift into first gear
Usage Note
In informal speech, 'first' alone (without 'gear') is common after 'put the car in' or 'shift into'.
8. In baseball, either the first of four bases that a batter must touch to score, o
In baseball, either the first of four bases that a batter must touch to score, or the position played by the fielder who guards that base.
Xiu hit the ball into left field and sprinted toward first base.
sprint toward first base
The catcher threw the ball to first base, but the runner was already safe.
throw to first base
Manuela plays first base for her high school team and rarely misses a catch.
play first base
Brandon reached first base on a walk after four balls outside the strike zone.
- reach first base
- throw to first base
- play first base
- at first base
- get to first base
- round first base
Grammar Patterns
reach first base
play first base
throw to first base
Usage Note
This sense is limited to American English baseball contexts. The term can refer either to the physical base (a white square on the field) or the defensive position (the first baseman).
Common Mistakes
first — adjective
1. being the earliest, the most important, or the one that comes before all the res
being the earliest, the most important, or the one that comes before all the rest
Bao was the first person to arrive at the party on Saturday.
pattern: 'first + noun + to-infinitive'
The first chapter of this book tells the story of Feng's childhood.
Darius won first prize in the school art competition last month.
collocation: 'first prize'
It was the first time Talia had travelled by herself on a train.
pattern: 'the first time' + clause
- first person
- first prize
- first place
- first time
- first chapter
Grammar Patterns
first + noun
first + noun + to-infinitive
the first time + clause
Common Mistakes
2. used for the slowest and strongest gear that gets a car moving from a stop
used for the slowest and strongest gear that gets a car moving from a stop
Feng shifted the car into first gear and drove up the hill.
collocation: 'first gear' (the lowest gear)
Ayesha's driving teacher showed her how to find first gear.
On steep mountain roads drivers stay in first gear for safety.
Chidi pressed the clutch and moved the stick into first gear.
pattern: 'into first gear' after a verb of movement
- first gear
- in first gear
- into first gear
- low gear
less specific; can also refer to the lowest gear in a different transmission type
- bottom gear
British English variant
- top gear
the highest forward gear in a vehicle
Grammar Patterns
first gear
in first gear
Usage Note
Commonly used without the article: 'in first gear' / 'into first gear'. The noun 'first' on its own can mean the same gear in casual speech ('put it in first').
3. relating to the main melody or leading line in a section of musicians who play t
relating to the main melody or leading line in a section of musicians who play the same type of instrument
Talia played first violin in the school orchestra for three years.
pattern: 'first + instrument name' for the main part
The first trumpet in the band sounded the start of the show.
Ayesha sings first soprano in her local church choir on Sundays.
The conductor asked the first violins to play the passage more softly.
plural form: 'first violins' meaning the whole section
- first violin
- first soprano
- first trumpet
- first violins
- second
the next part below the first in an instrument or voice group
Grammar Patterns
first + instrument/voice name
Usage Note
Distinguish from sense 1: here 'first' names a specific musical role or section (first violin, first soprano), not a general order. The plural 'first violins' refers to the group of musicians who play that part.
Common Mistakes
4. marking the earliest part or starting point of a series or process
marking the earliest part or starting point of a series or process
The first step in making bread is to mix the flour with water.
pattern: 'first step in + [gerund]'
Christopher caught the first train to London early this morning.
collocation: 'first train'
The first signs of winter were frost on the grass each morning.
collocation: 'first signs of'
Baby Darius's first words were 'mama' and 'dada' when he was ten months old.
- first step
- first train
- first signs
- first words
Grammar Patterns
first + noun indicating a start
Common Mistakes
first — adverb
1. earlier than any other person or thing in a sequence, situation, or order of imp
earlier than any other person or thing in a sequence, situation, or order of importance — for example, arriving first at a meeting, doing one task before another, or caring about something above everything else.
Kian arrived first at the restaurant and waited for his friends.
position before other people in a sequence
As soon as you arrive home, lock the front door first.
Among all the volunteers, Nila was the one who spoke first.
The night-shift nurse always checks the emergency room first.
priority in task order
Mathieu puts his family first, even when work gets busy.
- arrive first
- get there first
- come first
- put something/someone first
- first + imperative verb
- beforehand
sounds more formal and does not imply a sequence with others; e.g. 'prepare the ingredients beforehand'
- ahead
used mainly for spatial or competitive position; e.g. 'she finished ahead of the group'
- last
the opposite end of a sequence; 'he finished last'
Grammar Patterns
verb + first
first + verb (in imperative clauses)
Usage Note
Frequently followed by a clause or phrase that states what happens next. Often appears in instructions or lists of steps.
Common Mistakes
2. at a time in the past when someone has a particular experience or does something
at a time in the past when someone has a particular experience or does something that they had never done before — suggesting that later occurrences followed.
Cole first visited Japan when he was twelve years old.
first + verb indicating an initial occurrence
The children first saw snow during their trip to Hokkaido.
Yan first tried surfing on a family holiday in Thailand.
Esteban first met his wife at a university library in Madrid.
Apinya first heard about the scholarship from her teacher in Bangkok.
- first saw
- first met
- first tried
- first heard
- first visited
- initially
more formal and often implies a contrast with a later change; e.g. 'initially, she was nervous'
- originally
focuses on the starting point of a situation that later changed; e.g. 'originally from Taiwan'
Grammar Patterns
first + main verb (past tense)
Usage Note
This sense only works when describing a past event. For present or future first-time experiences, use 'for the first time' (e.g. 'I am trying this for the first time').
Common Mistakes
3. used at the start of a sentence to introduce the first item in a list of reasons
used at the start of a sentence to introduce the first item in a list of reasons, arguments, steps, or comments — often followed later by 'second', 'next', or 'finally'.
First, wash your hands with soap and warm water before you start cooking.
sentence adverb introducing a step in a process
First, the team will check all the equipment for safety problems.
First, Beatrix explained the main goal of the research project to the group.
First, you need to fill out this form and hand it to the receptionist.
First, let us look at what happened during the early stage of the trial.
paired with a subsequent second/third point
- First, … Second, …
- First of all, …
- First, you need to …
- first of all
slightly more emphatic and conversational; 'first of all, let me thank everyone'
- firstly
a more formal alternative; common in academic writing
- lastly
signals the final point in a list
Grammar Patterns
First, + sentence
First of all, + sentence
Common Mistakes
first — determiner / ordinal number
1. used before a noun to indicate that a person or thing comes before every other s
used before a noun to indicate that a person or thing comes before every other similar person or thing in a series, race, list, or period of time.
Lan won first prize in the school writing competition.
determiner before noun for ranking in a contest
The first snow of winter fell on the hills behind Ishaan's house.
Brandon caught the first bus to town after finishing his night shift.
On her first day at the new school, Noor made friends with two girls.
first + day for the start of a period or event
The first chapter of the book tells us where Arjun grew up as a child.
- first prize
- first day
- first time
- first chapter
- first bus
- first snow
Grammar Patterns
[determiner] + first + noun
Usage Note
Always placed before the noun it modifies. The noun can be concrete (first chapter, first bus) or refer to an event or period (first day, first snow).
Common Mistakes
2. used before a noun to describe the person or thing that has the highest rank, gr
used before a noun to describe the person or thing that has the highest rank, greatest importance, or best quality within a particular group or situation.
Adina made safety the first priority when designing the new playground.
first + abstract noun (priority) for top rank
For the head chef Diego, quality was the first concern in every dish.
Brian's first duty as captain was to make sure the team felt welcome.
The first rule of the hiking club is to stay together on the trail.
Nellie's first love was music, even before she learned to read and write.
idiomatic: first love meaning greatest or most important passion
- first priority
- first concern
- first duty
- first rule
- first love
- last
least important in order of priority
- least important
the opposite in rank or significance
Grammar Patterns
[determiner] + first + abstract noun
Usage Note
The noun that follows is almost always abstract (priority, concern, duty, rule, love) rather than a concrete object. This sense emphasises rank and importance rather than position in a sequence.
Common Mistakes
first — ordinal number
1. used to describe the person or thing that comes before all others when you count
used to describe the person or thing that comes before all others when you count or put things in order, time, or importance.
The first day of spring brings new flowers and warmer weather.
ordinal number before a noun: first + day
Elena won first prize in the art competition at her school.
ordinal in compound noun: first prize
Rafael was the first runner to cross the finish line.
The first house on the left belongs to the Chen family.
ordinal specifying position: first + noun + location
Christopher's first job was at a small bookshop in town.
- first day
- first time
- first place
- first prize
- first job
- first impression
- last
opposite in position, order, or time
Grammar Patterns
first + noun (the first day, a first prize)
2. happening or done before anything else in a sequence of actions or events, often
happening or done before anything else in a sequence of actions or events, often to introduce the earliest step in a process.
First, the chef chopped the vegetables; then she heated the oil.
adverbial at start of sentence: First, [clause]
When you bake a cake, first mix the dry ingredients in a bowl.
Owen turned off the lights first, then locked the front door.
adverbial at end of clause: [clause] + first
The teacher explained the rules first, before starting the game.
- first, then
- first, next
- first, before
- first of all
- firstly
more formal; used mainly in writing and lists
- to begin with
slightly less direct; common in both speech and writing
- initially
more formal; often implies that something changed later
Grammar Patterns
first (,) + clause; clause + first
Usage Note
When used as a sentence adverb at the beginning of a sentence, 'first' is usually followed by a comma.
Common Mistakes
3. related to the earliest effort or try at doing something, often before any revis
related to the earliest effort or try at doing something, often before any revision or second try.
Tuan passed his driving test on the first try.
fixed phrase: on the first try
The first attempt to climb the mountain failed due to heavy snow.
first + attempt + to-infinitive
Hui guessed the riddle correctly on the first guess.
Élise's first attempt at baking bread turned out quite well.
- on the first try
- first attempt
- at first glance
- first guess
Grammar Patterns
on the first + noun (try, attempt, guess)
at first + noun (glance, sight)
Usage Note
Often used in the fixed patterns 'on the first + noun' and 'at first + noun'. Do not confuse with 'at first' (a separate phrase meaning 'in the beginning, before a change').
4. of the highest possible quality or degree; extremely good in its kind, used with
of the highest possible quality or degree; extremely good in its kind, used with nouns like 'order', 'rank', or 'quality' to show excellence.
The hotel provided service of the first order to all its guests.
fixed phrase: of the first order
Hui is a researcher of the first rank in the field of genetics.
The bakery uses ingredients of the first quality, fresh every morning.
fixed phrase: of the first quality
Rafael proved himself a craftsman of the first skill and care.
- of the first order
- of the first rank
- of the first quality
- first-class
commoner in modern English; works as a compound adjective
- top-notch
informal; very common in everyday speech
- excellent
simpler and more widely used; no fixed phrase needed
Grammar Patterns
of the first + noun (order, rank, quality, water)
Usage Note
This sense is restricted to formal fixed expressions like 'of the first order/rank/quality/water'. It is not used freely as a simple adjective (e.g., you cannot say 'a first hotel' to mean 'an excellent hotel').
Common Mistakes
5. very early in the morning, soon after waking up or once the new day starts.
very early in the morning, soon after waking up or once the new day starts.
The train leaves at six in the morning, so we must get up first.
Liam reads the newspaper first thing every morning with his coffee.
fixed phrase: first thing (in the morning)
Tariro will call the office first thing tomorrow to confirm the booking.
The bakery opens early, and customers arrive first to buy fresh bread.
adverbial: arrive + first (meaning early)
- first thing in the morning
- first thing tomorrow
- first thing Monday
- early
simpler and broader; does not imply 'earliest possible'
- bright and early
informal, cheerful tone
- last thing
the latest point in the day; opposite fixed phrase
Grammar Patterns
first thing (in the morning)
first thing + time (tomorrow, today)
Usage Note
The fixed phrase 'first thing' means 'at the very beginning of the day' and is followed by a time word (e.g., 'first thing Monday', 'first thing tomorrow'). Do not use 'first' alone to mean 'early'; add an explicit time or context.
Common Mistakes
6. marking the highest position in a numbered sequence of musical parts or sections
marking the highest position in a numbered sequence of musical parts or sections within an instrument or voice group — for example, first violin (as distinct from second violin) or first soprano (as distinct from second soprano).
Reema plays first violin in the city orchestra, a role she treasures.
music: first + instrument (violin)
Aaron sings the first tenor part in the choir at church.
music: first + voice part (tenor)
The first trumpet player hit every note perfectly during the concert.
Amihan was chosen as first clarinet for the school band competition.
- first violin
- first tenor
- first trumpet
- first clarinet
Grammar Patterns
first + instrument (violin, trumpet, clarinet) / voice part (tenor, soprano)
Usage Note
Distinguish from adj/3 (LEADING PART) and noun/4 (LEAD PLAYER). This ordinal sense focuses on the numbered position of a musical part in a sequence — 'first violin' is part 1 of a numbered pair with 'second violin'. By contrast, adj/3 describes the musical line itself ('the first violin part'), and noun/4 refers to the person who plays that part ('she is first violin').
Word family
- firstlyadverbB1
- first-classadjectiveB2
- first-handadjectiveB2
- first-handadverbB2
- first-aidnounA2
- first-bornnounB1
- first-bornadjectiveB1
- first-rateadjectiveB2
Synonym discussion
Sense: adjective/1
First is the most general and neutral word for position in time, order, or importance ('the first day of spring'). Primary stresses what is most important or fundamental in a hierarchy ('the primary reason for the delay'); it is more formal and rarely used for simple time order. Foremost suggests leading rank or prominence in a field ('one of the foremost scientists of her time') and carries a formal or respectful tone. Initial refers specifically to the starting point or earliest stage of a process ('the initial phase of the project') and often implies that something changed later. Original adds the meaning 'having existed from the beginning, not copied or derived' ('the original plan was simpler'). Choose first for everyday order or time, primary for priority or importance, initial for the start of a process, original for the earliest version of something, and foremost for leading status.
Common collocations
Nouns
- first time
- first place
- first step
- first glance
- first impression
Adverbs
- first ever
- first thing
Phrases
- first of all
- first and foremost
- in the first place
- first come, first served
- first thing in the morning
- at first sight
- get to first base
Prepositions
- at first
- from the first
Etymology
First comes from Old English 'fyrst' (or 'fyrest'), meaning 'foremost, earliest'. It traces back to Proto-Germanic '*furista-' (superlative of '*fur-' meaning 'before, forward'), from Proto-Indo-European '*per-' ('forward, beyond'). Cognates include German 'Fürst' (prince) and Latin 'primus' (first).