first
gb/fˈɚst/ us/fˈɚst/
A1
English
~ 2000
Senses
0 senses
adjective
A1
property
1
Earliest in time or order
Happening or coming before all other things or people.
Usage pattern:
the first [noun] to [verb]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'first' with 'at first'; the former describes order, while the latter means 'initially'.
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.)
Collocations
first time
|first place
|first day
|first step
|first impression
Themes
time
|order
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- This is the first time I've been to Japan.
- She was the first person to arrive at the party.
- 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.
- Today is my first day at school.
- I met my first friend here.
- She got first place in the race.
- It is my first time in London.
adverb
A1
relation
2
Before any others
Before anything else happens.
Usage pattern:
first [verb] [something]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'first' as an adverb with 'at first'; the latter indicates a change over time.
Synonyms
beforehand (Suggests doing something earlier than another event, often as preparation.)
Antonyms
finally (Indicates the last action or stage.)
Collocations
first think
|first arrive
|first consider
Themes
time
|order
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Finish your homework first, then you can watch TV.
- First, I want to thank everyone for coming.
- She first noticed the problem last year.
Learner examples
- I will eat breakfast first.
- First, wash your hands.
- He first met her in 2010.
Noun
A2
entity
3
Top position in order or competition
The winner or top position in a race or contest.
Usage pattern:
win/get/come in first
Synonyms
winner (Specifically refers to a person who wins; not always about order.)
Antonyms
last place (The lowest position in a competition.)
Collocations
win first place
|come in first
|finish first
Themes
sports
|competition
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She came in first in the marathon.
- First is awarded a gold medal.
- They finished first in their group.
Learner examples
- He came in first in the race.
- We won first in the game.
- She got first place.
ordinal number
A1
quantity
4
Number one in sequence
Showing that something is number one in order.
Synonyms
number one (More informal way to indicate rank.)
Antonyms
second (Indicates position number two.)
Themes
math
|order
|core_vocabulary
|time
Examples
- January is the first month of the year.
- She finished in first position.
- The first chapter introduces the main characters.
Learner examples
- Monday is the first day of the week.
- I live on the first floor.
- This is the first question.
Grammar
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?