What is first? Pronunciation and usage in English

first means . Learn how to pronounce and use first through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of first

firstnumeral

/fəːst/
Definition & pronunciation of first

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "first" in English. There are actually two common pronunciations, and it depends on where you're from!

1. The Most Common American Pronunciation:

  • IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet): /fɜrst/

  • Breakdown:

    • "fɜ": This is the tricky part. It’s a diphthong – meaning two vowel sounds blend together. It sounds a bit like "fur" but shorter and with a slightly raised tongue. Think of it as a very quick "er" sound followed by an "uh" sound.
    • "rst": This is pronounced exactly like the letters: "r-s-t".

  • How to say it: Imagine saying "furst" quickly and smoothly.

2. The British Pronunciation:

  • IPA: /fɜːst/
  • Differences:
    • The “r” sound is often reduced or silent after a vowel. So it sounds more like "/fɜːst/"
    • The "a" vowel is more open and longer. It's closer to the "a" in "father" rather than the "a" in "fur."

Resources to help you hear the difference:

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • Where are you learning English from? (e.g., United States, United Kingdom, Australia, etc.)

Usage and examples with the word first in English

Let's break down how to use the word "first" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with many different ways it can be used! Here’s a breakdown categorized by usage:

1. As an Adjective (Describing Order):

  • Meaning: "First" describes something that comes before others in a sequence.
  • Examples:
    • “This is my first time visiting Paris.” (Describes the order of experiences)
    • “The first page of the book is missing.” (Describes the position)
    • “He's the first person to win the prize.” (Describes being in order of achievement)
    • “Let’s look at the first steps in the process.” (Describes the sequence)

2. As an Adverb (Modifying Verbs):

  • Meaning: "First" tells you when something happened in a sequence.
  • Examples:
    • “First, I made the salad. Then, I added the dressing.” (Indicates the order of actions)
    • “First, you need to gather your materials.” (Provides the initial step)
    • “First, let me apologize for the mistake.” (Starts the conversation)

3. As a Pronoun (Referring to something in a sequence):

  • Meaning: “First” replaces a noun that is the first item in a list or series.
  • Examples:
    • “First, John went to the store. Then, he went to the park.” (“First” replaces “John”)
    • "I need first place to win the competition.” (“First” replaces “the first place”)

4. As a Determiner (Preceding a Noun):

  • Meaning: “First” indicates the initial item in a collection or group.
  • Examples:
    • “First, we need to clean the house.” (Indicates the initial task)
    • “I have first cousins.” (Indicates the first category of relatives)

5. Figurative/Idiomatic Uses:

  • “First come, first served”: This is a common idiom meaning that those who arrive first get priority.
  • “Let’s start with the first step.”: Meaning: “Let’s begin with the initial step.”
  • “He was the first to realize…”: “He was the one who discovered it first.”

Key Points to Remember:

  • "First" often signals a beginning. It's frequently used to introduce something new or to set the stage for a series of events.
  • It’s about sequence: The core meaning of "first" is always related to order – the beginning of a list, the initial action, the early stage of something.

Let’s practice! Can you use "first" in a sentence to describe:

  1. The order you followed to make breakfast?
  2. The feeling of trying something new for the very first time?
  3. The advantage of arriving early to an event?

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • What kind of context are you interested in? (e.g., formal writing, casual conversation, grammar practice, creative writing?)

Synonyms for the word first

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