领域: Universal Wordsdeterminer, ordinal number, adverb, noun
determiner
, ordinal number
1 happening 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 at college * your first impressions * She resolved to do it at the first (= earliest) opportunity. * King Edward I (= said as 'King Edward the First')
2 the 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 see ORDERn.
词性: adverb1 before anyone or anything else; at the beginning:
'Do you want a drink?' 'I'll finish my work first.' * First I had to decide what to wear. * Who came first in the race (= who won)? * It plunged nose first into the river.
2 for the first time:
When did you first meet him?
3 used to introduce the first of a list of points you want to make in a speech or piece of writing
SYNFIRSTLY:
This method has two advantages: first it is cheaper and secondly it is quicker.
4 used to emphasize that you are determined not to do sth:
She swore that she wouldn't apologize-she'd die first!
IDIOMS
at first at or in the beginning:
I didn't like the job much at first. * At first I thought he was shy, but then I discovered he was just not interested in other people. * (saying) If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. -< FIRSTLY
come first to be considered more important than anything else:
In any decision she makes, her family always comes first.
first and foremost more than anything else:
He does a little teaching, but first and foremost he's a writer.
first and last in every way that is important; completely:
She regarded herself, first and last, as a musician.
first come, first served (saying) people will be dealt with, seen, etc. strictly in the order in which they arrive:
Tickets are available on a first come, first served basis.
first of all
1 before doing anything else; at the beginning:
First of all, let me ask you something.
2 as the most important thing:
The content of any article needs, first of all, to be relevant to the reader. -> FIRSTLY
first off (informal, especially BrE) before anything else:
First off, let's see how much it'll cost.
first up (BrE, informal) to start with; before anything else
put sb/sth first to consider sb/sth to be more important than anyone/anything else:
She always puts her children first.
moreatHEADn., SAFETY
