first

Coming or happening before all the others.

• This is my first bike.
• He won first prize.
• Who was the first person to call?

How to use it: the first to do something (She was the first to arrive.)

Similar words: earliest, initial

Opposites: last

Common phrases: first time, first day, first place, first child

More important or better than the others.

• Safety is our first priority.
• Her first duty is to protect the children.
• This hotel would be my first choice.

Similar words: main, chief, primary, best

Opposites: last

Common phrases: first priority, first duty, first choice, first concern

Numbered one, just after the item numbered zero, in a system that starts counting at zero.

• The first index follows index zero.
• Here, the first element comes after the zeroth element.
• The programmer placed a marker at the first position, immediately after position zero.

Common phrases: first index, first element, first entry

Before any other person, thing, or action.

• Wash your hands first.
• She arrived first and chose a seat.
• Who wants to go first?

Similar words: beforehand, firstly

Opposites: last

Common phrases: come first, finish first, first of all, put someone first

On the earliest occasion when something happened.

• We first met at school.
• I first heard that song last summer.
• When did you first visit this city?

Similar words: for the first time

Common phrases: first meet someone, first hear something, first visit somewhere

At the beginning of a situation or period.

• It was hard when we first moved here.
• When she first started, she needed help.
• We had little money when we were first married.

Similar words: initially, at the beginning

Common phrases: first start work, first move in, first get married

The person or thing that comes before all the others.

• I was the first in line.
• The first of the guests arrived early.
• Who was the first to finish?

How to use it: the first to do something (He was the first to sign up.); the first of something (This is the first of three reports.)

Similar words: earliest one

Opposites: last

Common phrases: the first of something, the very first, among the first

Something that happens or is done for the earliest time ever.

• That's a first for me.
• The successful flight was a world first.
• Her victory marked a historic first for the team.

How to use it: a first for someone/something (Winning this award was a first for our school.)

Similar words: first occurrence

Common phrases: a world first, a historic first, a first for someone