Meaning of 'first'

adverb

before anything else

Example: "first we must consider the garter snake"

Synonyms: firstly foremost first of all first off

adverb

the initial time

Example: "when Felix first saw a garter snake"

Synonyms: for the first time

adverb

prominently forward

Synonyms: foremost

adverb

before another in time, space, or importance

Example: "I was here first"

adjective

ranking above all others

Example: "They were first in their class to the surprise of nobody."

Synonyms: foremost world-class

adjective

serving to begin

Synonyms: beginning

adjective

serving to set in motion

Synonyms: inaugural initiative initiatory maiden

adjective

preceding all others in time or space or degree

Example: "the first house on the right"

adjective

highest in pitch or chief among parts or voices or instruments or orchestra sections

Example: "first soprano"

adjective

indicating the beginning unit in a series

noun

the fielding position of the player on a baseball team who is stationed at first of the bases in the infield (counting counterclockwise from home plate)

Synonyms: first base

noun

the lowest forward gear ratio in the gear box of a motor vehicle

Synonyms: low low gear

noun

an honours degree of the highest class

Synonyms: first-class honours degree

noun

the first element in a countable series

Example: "the first of the month"

Synonyms: number one number 1

noun

coming before all others; highest in an ordering or series

Example: "The dog was first to be adopted."

Synonyms: number one

noun

the time at which something is supposed to begin

Synonyms: beginning