first
Happening or coming before all other things or people.
Coming before all others in time, order, or importance.
Before anything else happens.
Before any other person or thing in time, order, or importance.
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.
Showing that something is number one in order.
Indicating position number one in a sequence of things.
- Base: first
- Base: first
- Plural: firsts
first of all
1Before anything else is said or done
Before anything else happens or is mentioned.
- First of all, I want to thank you for coming.
- First of all, we need to check our supplies.
at first
1In the beginning stage/time
At the start of something.
- 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
1Most important above all else initially considered
Most important of all, before considering other things.
- 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
1As the first reason or point
Used to talk about the main reason something happened or should happen.
- 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
2As an initial reason or situation
As the main reason why something happened or should happen.
- We shouldn’t have gone there in the first place.
- Why didn’t you tell me in the first place?