first-rate
Americanadjective
-
excellent; superb.
-
of the highest rank, rate, or class.
adverb
adjective
-
of the best or highest rated class or quality
-
informal very good; excellent
adverb
Etymology
Origin of first-rate
First recorded in 1660–70
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Sir: First rate minds are, by their nature, explorative, adventurous, dynamic .
From Time Magazine Archive
"First rate, sir; she is the finest boat I ever saw."
From Little By Little or, The Cruise of the Flyaway by Optic, Oliver
First rate idea; th' partner I got now spends most of his nights scratching.
From Bring Me His Ears by Mulford, Clarence E.
First rate; I guess the folks have had enough of it, this winter, by jolly.
From The Humors of Falconbridge A Collection of Humorous and Every Day Scenes by Falconbridge
"First rate, if a bit dry," Jack replied.
From Motor Boat Boys Down the Coast or Through Storm and Stress to Florida by Arundel, Louis
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
