first
gb/fˈɚst/ us/fˈɚst/
A1
English
~ 2000
első, először, elsőként, első helyezett
A1
1
első
A1
Usage pattern:
the first [noun] to [verb]
This is the first time I've been to Japan.
Ez az első alkalom, hogy Japánban járok.
She was the first person to arrive at the party.
Ő volt az első, aki megérkezett a partira.
Monday is the first day of the week in many countries.
He took his first step without help today.
Winning first place made her very proud.
Learner examples
This is my first car.
Ez az első autóm.
Today is my first day at school.
Ma van az első napom az iskolában.
I met my first friend here.
She got first place in the race.
It is my first time in London.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'first' with 'at first'; the former describes order, while the latter means 'initially'.
Meaning
Earliest in time or order
Collocations
first time
|first place
|first day
|first step
|first impression
Synonyms
earliest (Focuses on time sequence rather than rank or importance.)
|
initial (More formal; often used for stages or phases.)
Antonyms
last (The final in a sequence or order.)
Themes
time
|order
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Happening or coming before all other things or people.
Coming before all others in time, order, or importance.
A1
2
Usage pattern:
first [verb] [something]
Finish your homework first, then you can watch TV.
Először fejezd be a házi feladatodat, aztán nézhetsz tévét.
First, I want to thank everyone for coming.
Először is szeretném megköszönni mindenkinek, hogy eljött.
She first noticed the problem last year.
Learner examples
I will eat breakfast first.
Először reggelizni fogok.
First, wash your hands.
Először moss kezet.
He first met her in 2010.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'first' as an adverb with 'at first'; the latter indicates a change over time.
Meaning
Before any others
Collocations
first think
|first arrive
|first consider
Synonyms
beforehand (Suggests doing something earlier than another event, often as preparation.)
Antonyms
finally (Indicates the last action or stage.)
Themes
time
|order
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Before anything else happens.
Before any other person or thing in time, order, or importance.
NOUN
A2
3
első
A1
Usage pattern:
win/get/come in first
She came in first in the marathon.
Első lett a maratonon.
First is awarded a gold medal.
Az első helyezett aranyérmet kap.
They finished first in their group.
Learner examples
He came in first in the race.
Első lett a versenyen.
We won first in the game.
Első helyen végeztünk a játékban.
She got first place.
Meaning
Top position in order or competition
Collocations
win first place
|come in first
|finish first
Synonyms
winner (Specifically refers to a person who wins; not always about order.)
Antonyms
last place (The lowest position in a competition.)
Themes
sports
|competition
|core_vocabulary
Definition
The winner or top position in a race or contest.
The person or thing that comes before all others in a series, race, or competition.
A1
4
első
A1
January is the first month of the year.
Január az év első hónapja.
She finished in first position.
Első helyen végzett.
The first chapter introduces the main characters.
Learner examples
Monday is the first day of the week.
A hétfő a hét első napja.
I live on the first floor.
Az első emeleten lakom.
This is the first question.
Meaning
Number one in sequence
Synonyms
number one (More informal way to indicate rank.)
Antonyms
second (Indicates position number two.)
Themes
math
|order
|core_vocabulary
|time
Definition
Showing that something is number one in order.
Indicating position number one in a sequence of things.
Grammar
Dictionary form
first
IPA
GB/fˈɚst/
US/fˈɚst/
Syllables & stress
first (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (first)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: first
Noun
- Base: first
- Plural: firsts
Word family
Expressions
first of all
1/fˈɚst əv ˈɔl/
fixed phrase
Before anything else is said or done
Before anything else happens or is mentioned.
Examples
- First of all, I want to thank you for coming.
- First of all, we need to check our supplies.
at first
1/ˈæt fˈɚst/
fixed phrase
In the beginning stage/time
At the start of something.
Examples
- At first, I didn’t like the idea.
- At first, I found the job difficult, but it got easier.
- It was hard at first, but then it got easier.
- They didn’t like each other at first, but now they are friends.
first and foremost
1/fˈɚst ˈænd fˈɔɹmˌoʊst/
fixed phrase
Most important above all else initially considered
Most important of all, before considering other things.
Examples
- First and foremost, we must protect the children.
- First and foremost, I want to thank our sponsors.
- He is, first and foremost, a teacher.
- We must remember that, first and foremost, we are here to serve the community.
in the first place
1/ˈɪn ðə fˈɚst plˈeɪs/
fixed phrase
As the first reason or point
Used to talk about the main reason something happened or should happen.
Examples
- Why didn’t you tell me in the first place?
- In the first place, we don’t have enough money for that project.
in the first place
2/ˈɪn ðə fˈɚst plˈeɪs/
fixed phrase
As an initial reason or situation
As the main reason why something happened or should happen.
Examples
- We shouldn’t have gone there in the first place.
- Why didn’t you tell me in the first place?