first

English numbers ^(edit)

		10
	←  0	1	2  →	10  →
Cardinal: one     Ordinal: first     Frequency: once     Multiplier: single     Distributive: singly     Fractional: whole     Number of musicians: solo

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA ^(key): /fɜːst/, SAMPA: /f3:st/
• (US) IPA ^(key): /fɝst/, SAMPA: /f3`st/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

Adjective

Positive first

Comparative none

Superlative none

1. (ordinal number) Happening or coming before all other similar things or people.

   I don't like the job much at first.

   She always puts her children first.

   I have no older brothers. I was the first child.

2. The most important or best.

   Your first duty is to your family.

Related words

• firstly
• first of all
• primary
• zeroth
• second

Adverb

Positive first

Comparative none

Superlative none

1. Before anyone/anything else.

   She regarded herself, first and last, as a musician.

   He does a little teaching, but first and foremost he's a writer.

   First (of all), I should say that we're happy to see you all here today.

   First off, let's see how much it'll cost.

   He was the fastest in class and usually finished everything first.

2. For the first time.

   I first went to Japan in 1994.

3. At first.

   When we were first married, everything was wonderful.

Noun

Singular first

Plural firsts

1. (countable) A first is something that has not happened before.

   A dog walking on stilts? Well, that is a first.

Related words

• novelty
• unprecedented