first

ADJECTIVE

[/fɜːrst/]

coming before all others in time or order; 1st

💡 Concept

She crossed the finish line first, arms raised in triumph.

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

Start Free Demo

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/fɜːrst/

🇬🇧 UK/fɜːst/

🌳Etymology

Rootfirst

Origin

The word derives from Old English 'fyrst', which evolved from the common ancestor language of the Germanic language family. It developed from a root meaning 'to go forward' or 'to advance', reflecting the sense of something coming before others in sequence.

Breakdown

Old English 'fyrst' comes from a Germanic root related to 'forth' or 'forward' (expressing movement or progression). The modern English form 'first' preserves the ordinal sense of being foremost or earliest in order.

🎵Rhyme

thirstworstburst

thirst

worst

burst

🔗Collocations

first place

first impression

at first

first aid

first class

first come, first served

first thing

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

“I always eat dessert first because life is too short for vegetables.”

😄 Fun example

“The first rule of homework club is: you don't talk about homework club.”

“First things first, we need to finish this project by tomorrow.”

“She won first prize in the math competition.”

📚Related Words

Synonyms

initialprimaryearliestforemostleading

Antonyms

lastfinalultimate

secondthirdbeginningstartpremier

Want to master 19,000+ words?

Start for Free 60s Demo

first — coming before all others in time or order; 1st

Example Sentences