First, I'm going to do an outline of my new website.
Source: tatoeba (1549)
First
/fɜːst/
Synonyms for "first" (261 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (53)
Adjective(9 words)
ab initioab ovoaborigineaheadalphaantecedentanterioranticipatoryarchat firstat the startbannerbasicbeforebefore everythingbeforehandbeginningbestblue ribbonbreaking-in
Noun(3 words)
Determiner(1 words)
das erste wort
Strong matches (78)
essentialexaltedexordialfamousfirst and foremostfirst blushfirst glancefirst impressionfirst inningfirst lapfirst movefirst placefirst roundfirst sightfirst stagefirst stepfirst stringfirst thingfirstlyfocal
Show 37 more words
foreforegoingforehandforemostformerforwardfrom the beginningfrontfrontalfundamentalgambitgreatheadheadingheadmosthegemonichighestin advancein frontin preferencein the beginningin the forefrontin the foregroundin the frontin the leadinauguralinceptioninitialinitiallyinitiativeinitiatoryintroductorykeyle premier pasleadleadingleast
Adjective(10 words)
first rankinauguralinitialinitial annalinitial dateinitial draftinitiallyinitiativeinitiatoryleading
Related words (130)
Noun(16 words)
magisterialmaidenmainmainlymastermeaslynativeolderoldestopeningopening moveoriginaloriginallyoutsetoutstandingoverrulingparamountpioneerprecedentpreceding
Show 68 more words
precessionalprecurrentprecursorypredominantpreeminentpreexistentprefatorypreferablypreliminarypreludialprelusivepremierpremierepreparatorypreponderantprevailingprevenientpreviousprimalprimarilyprimaryprimeprimitiveprimitivenessprimitivityprimoprimogenialprimordialprincipalprincipallypriorpristineproemialprominentpropaedeuticprototyperankingratherrather thanrudimentaryrulingseniorslightslightestslimsmallestsoonersooner thansovereignstarstartstellarstraightawaysuccessfulsupereminentsupremeto the foreto the fronttopflighttriflingtriumphtrivialup aheaduppermostvictorvictorywarming-upwin
Adjective(26 words)
maidenmainopeningopening steporiginaloriginal accountoriginal musical pieceoriginal versionprimarilyprimaryprimary componentprimary criterionprimary goalprimary language for learningprimary languagesprimary principleprimary propositionprimary purposeprimary responseprimary subject
Show 6 more words
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: foremost, 1st, ab initio, ab ovo, aborigine.
- Sentence evidence is available for first, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from wordnet, opengloss, moby, derived_reverse, and related lexical sources.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "first".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "first"
Keep "first" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "first" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "first", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "first" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
17 entriesShowing 16 of 17 words.
More specific
23 entriesbeforehandchieflyearlierfirst attemptfirst chapterfirst choicefirst concernfirst draftfirst editionfirst placefirst printingfirst priorityfirst releasefirst stepinitial chapterinitially
Showing 16 of 23 words.
Collocations
11 entriesfirst aidfirst chapterfirst dayfirst draftfirst editionfirst gradefirst periodfirst placefirst priorityfirst stepfirst time
Derivations
5 entriesAntonyms
2 entriessimilar
22 entriesShowing 16 of 22 words.
Translations
2 translations across 2 languages.
Finnish
1 entries- yhdesosa noun (fraction of an integer ending in one)
Hungarian
1 entries- -egyed noun (fraction of an integer ending in one)
Sample sentences
37 total sentences available.
Wash before first wearing.
Source: tatoeba (1574)
To have doubts about oneself is the first sign of intelligence.
Source: tatoeba (1582)
The second half of a man's life is made up of nothing but the habits he has acquired during the first half.
Source: tatoeba (2265)
Showing 4 of 37 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "first"?
Closest matches include foremost, 1st, ab initio, ab ovo, aborigine.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "first"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.