first
UK: fɜːst | US: fɜːrst
adj. coming before all others in time or order
adj. foremost in position, rank, or importance
n. the person or thing that is first
adv. before anything else in time, order, or priority
The word "first" originates from Old English fyrst, which is derived from Proto-Germanic furistaz, meaning "foremost." It combines the idea of being "before" (related to fore) with a superlative suffix (-st), emphasizing priority in time or rank. Over time, it evolved into Middle English first, retaining its core meaning of being at the beginning or top.
She won the first prize in the competition.
The first chapter of the book introduces the main characters.
He was the first to arrive at the meeting.
First, we need to gather all the necessary materials.
This is my first time visiting New York.