first

(noun) the first or highest in an ordering or series. Synonyms: number one. Examples: "He wanted to be the first."

(noun) the first element in a countable series. Synonyms: number one, number 1. Examples: "The first of the month."

(noun) the time at which something is supposed to begin. Synonyms: beginning, commencement, outset, get-go, start, kickoff, starting time, showtime, offset. Examples: "They got an early start." "She knew from the get-go that he was the man for her."

(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) an honours degree of the highest class. Synonyms: first-class honours degree.

(noun) the lowest forward gear ratio in the gear box of a motor vehicle; used to start a car moving. Synonyms: first gear, low gear, low.

(adj) preceding all others in time or space or degree. Synonyms: first (vs. last). Examples: "The first house on the right." "The first day of spring." "His first political race." "Her first baby." "The first time." "The first meetings of the new party." "The first phase of his training."

(adj) indicating the beginning unit in a series. Synonyms: 1st.

(adj) serving to set in motion. Synonyms: inaugural, initiative, initiatory, maiden. Examples: "The magazine's inaugural issue." "The initiative phase in the negotiations." "An initiatory step toward a treaty." "His first (or maiden) speech in congress." "The liner's maiden voyage."

(adj) serving to begin. Synonyms: beginning(prenominal). Examples: "The beginning canto of the poem." "The first verse."

(adj) ranking above all others. Synonyms: foremost, world-class. Examples: "Was first in her class." "The foremost figure among marine artists." "The top graduate."

(adj) highest in pitch or chief among parts or voices or instruments or orchestra sections. Synonyms: first (vs. second). Examples: "First soprano." "The first violin section." "Played first horn."

(adv) before anything else. Synonyms: firstly, foremost, first of all, first off. Examples: "First we must consider the garter snake."

(adv) the initial time. Synonyms: for the first time. Examples: "When felix first saw a garter snake."

(adv) before another in time, space, or importance. Examples: "I was here first." "Let's do this job first."

(adv) prominently forward. Synonyms: foremost. Examples: "He put his best foot foremost."