Dictionary-enhanced synonyms
Synonyms for “First” — 9 Other Ways to Say It
Coming at the beginning; happening before anything else in a sequence.
Meanings of First — Pick the Sense You Need
First has 3 common meanings. The synonyms below are grouped by meaning so you can jump straight to the sense you need.
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Meaning #1
as a adjective
Coming at the beginning; happening before anything else in a sequence.
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Meaning #2
as a noun
The person or thing that comes in the first position, especially in a competition or race.
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Meaning #3
as a adverb
Coming or happening before all others.
How to Pronounce First
IPA: /fɜːrst/ Stress: O
The 'r' after the vowel is pronounced: FURST. Stress on one syllable.
4 Synonyms for First (Meaning #1 — as a adjective)
These synonyms work when you use first as a adjective. Meaning: Coming at the beginning; happening before anything else in a sequence.
initial
/ɪˈnɪʃəl/Happening or coming at the start or first part of something.
Example: The initial plan was to start the project in January.
opening
/ˈoʊpənɪŋ/A space where something is open; or the beginning of an event.
Example: There is a small opening in the fence.
primary
/ˈpraɪməri/The most important or first thing in a series or list.
Example: The primary goal of the project is to improve customer satisfaction.
4 Synonyms for First (Meaning #2 — as a noun)
These synonyms work when you use first as a noun. Meaning: The person or thing that comes in the first position, especially in a competition or race.
leader
/ˈliːdər/Someone who is in charge and guides other people in a group, team, or organization.
Example: She is the leader of our team at work.
5 Synonyms for First (Meaning #3 — as a adverb)
These synonyms work when you use first as a adverb. Meaning: Coming or happening before all others.
initial
/ɪˈnɪʃəl/Happening or coming at the start or first part of something.
Example: The initial plan was to start the project in January.
opening
/ˈoʊpənɪŋ/A space where something is open; or the beginning of an event.
Example: There is a small opening in the fence.
primary
/ˈpraɪməri/The most important or first thing in a series or list.
Example: The primary goal of the project is to improve customer satisfaction.
Smart Synonyms for First — When to Use Each
initial
in formal or technical writing to mean the
opening
when describing an event or statement that begins
Antonyms of First — Opposite Words
How to Use First and Its Synonyms in Sentences
- This is my first day at the new school. A1
- She won first place in the spelling competition. A1
- The first step is to read the instructions carefully. A1
- She came in first in the marathon race. A1
- He always tries to win first place on the test. A1
Common Word Choice Mistakes with First
Not natural: He was the first among all competitors.
Better: He came in first among all competitors.
Use 'come in first' or 'place first' as collocation, not 'was the first' in this context.
Frequently Asked Questions About Synonyms of First
What is another word for "first"?
Common synonyms for "first" include: initial, earliest, opening, primary, winner.
What can I say instead of "first"?
Try one of these alternatives: initial, earliest, opening, primary, winner. Pick the synonym whose register and meaning fits your sentence — see the cards above for definitions and examples.
Is "first" formal or informal?
"first" is generally used in neutral contexts.
When should I use "first" instead of "initial"?
Use "first" when you want to keep the exact nuance shown in the meaning section above; switch to "initial" when you need a different register, level, or shade of meaning. Compare the cards above to decide.
What are the antonyms of "first"?
Words with the opposite meaning of "first" include: last, final, latest, loser, last place.