- 1happening or coming before all other similar things or people; 1st his first wife It was the first time they had ever met. I didn't take the first bus. students in their first year of college your first impressions She resolved to do it at the first (= earliest) opportunity. King Edward I (= said as “King Edward the First”) May 1st/the first of May His second book is better than his first.
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- 2the most important or best Your first duty is to your family. She won first prize in the competition. an issue of the first importance Idioms
the fact that something has not happened before does not mean that it will never happen
Check pronunciation: first