foremost

1.adjectiveB2

Definition

being the most important, respected, or well-known in a particular field or group.

Example

Dr. Okafor is considered the foremost expert on tropical diseases in West Africa.

foremost + expert for the top figure in a field

Environmental protection has become the foremost concern for the city council this year.

foremost + concern for top-priority issues

Common collocations

foremost expert
foremost authority
foremost concern
foremost priority
foremost scholar

Synonyms

leading
more common and less formal; works for companies, countries, or people in competitive contexts
preeminent
more formal than 'foremost'; emphasizes universal recognition, especially in academic or artistic fields
top
informal and versatile; used in everyday situations for anything from grades to priorities
chief
most natural in institutional or organizational roles (chief executive, chief concern)

Antonyms

least
the opposite in terms of importance or rank
last
the opposite in terms of rank or position

Grammar Patterns

foremost + noun

Usage Note

Typically used attributively — placed before the noun it modifies. Saying 'the expert is foremost' sounds unnatural; use 'the foremost expert' instead.

Common Mistakes

The foremost thing we need is funding.

The first thing we need is funding.

'foremost' describes rank or importance, not position in a sequence.

1.adverbB2

Definition

as the most basic or important thing to consider, before all other matters.

Example

First and foremost, we need to ensure every student has access to clean water.

sentence opener: first and foremost + clause

The committee's concern was first and foremost with the safety of the workers.

Common collocations

first and foremost

Synonyms

first of all
more neutral and less emphatic than 'first and foremost'
above all
similar meaning but used to single out the most significant point among several

Grammar Patterns

first and foremost + [clause]

be + first and foremost

Usage Note

Most often occurs in the fixed phrase 'first and foremost,' used to introduce the single most important point. Using 'foremost' alone for this meaning is rare and may sound dated in modern English.

Common Mistakes

Foremost, wash your hands.

First, wash your hands.

'foremost' alone is not used for simple sequential order; use 'first' or 'first and foremost' for emphasis.

2.adverbC1

Definition

used to single out the most significant point among several that have been mentioned, often in a list or argument.

Example

Several issues need attention, foremost among them the shortage of teachers in rural schools.

foremost among + noun phrase for the top item in a list

The charity focuses on education, healthcare, and foremost providing meals for hungry children.

Common collocations

foremost among
foremost of

Synonyms

most importantly
less formal and far more common in everyday usage
above all
similar meaning, preferred in both formal and informal contexts

Grammar Patterns

foremost among + noun phrase

X, Y, and foremost Z

Usage Note

Often appears in the structure 'foremost among them/these' or as a sentence adverb set off by commas. In informal speech, 'above all' or 'most importantly' is far more common than using 'foremost' alone.

Common Mistakes

Foremost important, we need to reduce costs.

Foremost, we need to reduce costs.' or 'Most importantly, we need to reduce costs.

'foremost' already carries the meaning of 'most,' so 'foremost important' is redundant.

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

All five words describe someone or something that ranks above others in importance or quality. Foremost carries a formal, almost reverent tone — it suggests the most respected or influential figure in a field. Leading is more common and can apply to companies, countries, or people at the front of a competition or market; 'a leading brand' is everyday language. Preeminent is the most formal of the group and emphasizes being universally recognized as outstanding, often in academic or artistic contexts. Top is informal and versatile, used for anything from a top student to a top priority. Chief is most natural in institutional or organizational roles (chief executive, chief concern) and often implies authority rather than reputation. For example, 'She is the foremost scholar of the period' sounds more respectful than 'she is a top scholar,' while 'the chief concern is safety' sounds more natural than 'the foremost concern is safety.'

foremost ↗leading ↗preeminenttopchief ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

first and foremost
foremost among them

Prepositions

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

Foremost comes from Old English 'formest,' a combination of 'forma' (first) and the superlative suffix '-est.' Over time, the word was reshaped under the influence of 'fore' (meaning 'before') and 'most' (meaning 'to the greatest extent'), giving it the modern sense of 'first in rank or position.'

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foremost

foremost — adjective

1. being the most important, respected, or well-known in a particular field or grou

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

foremost — adverb

1. as the most basic or important thing to consider, before all other matters.

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

2. used to single out the most significant point among several that have been menti

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

Synonym discussion

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

Prepositions

Etymology

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