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• first class
  first class

  noun

  the best, finest, or highest class, grade, or rank.
• first-class
  first-class

  adjective

  of the highest or best class or quality.

first class

¹ American  

noun

• first classes
  plural

1. the best, finest, or highest class, grade, or rank.

2. the most expensive and most luxurious class of accommodation on trains, ships, airplanes, etc.

3. (in the U.S. Postal Service) the class of mail consisting of letters, postal cards, or the like, together with all mailable matter sealed against inspection.

4. British University. the group receiving the highest distinction in an honors course.

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first-class ² American  

[furst-klas, -klahs] / ˈfɜrstˈklæs, -ˈklɑs /

adjective

1. of the highest or best class or quality.

   a first-class movie.

2. best-equipped and most expensive.

   a first-class railroad car.

3. given or entitled to preferred treatment, handling, etc..

   first-class mail.

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adverb

1. by first-class conveyance.

   to travel first-class.

first class British  

noun

1. the class or grade of the best or highest value, quality, etc

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adjective

1. of the best or highest class or grade

   a first-class citizen

2. excellent; first-rate

3. of or denoting the most comfortable and expensive class of accommodation in a hotel, aircraft, train, etc

4. 1. (in Britain) of or relating to mail that is processed most quickly

   2. (in the US and Canada) of or relating to mail that consists mainly of written letters, cards, etc

5. education See first

adverb

1. by first-class mail, means of transportation, etc

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• first classes
  plural

Etymology

Origin of first class¹

First recorded in 1740–50

Origin of first-class²

First recorded in 1780–90

Explanation

If something is first-class, it's the very best. First-class seats on an airplane are the roomiest and most comfortable—and the most expensive. This adjective is perfect for describing the highest-quality version of something, from first-class stamps that get your letter to its destination faster to a first-class detective who relentlessly follows every single clue until the mystery is solved. First-class orchestras are highly accomplished, and a first-class moving company is unlikely to break your dishes while transporting them to your new house.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

first class first-class

While no-frills fares expand to business and first class, airlines are quietly rewriting the rules in standard economy—most notably around cancellation policies, miles and loyalty perks.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 5, 2026

Epstein said Revaire aims to be the “middle between that $1,000 first class seat and a $10,000 an hour charter.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 4, 2026

The first class Nakajima took at UCB was John Flynn’s storytelling course.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 3, 2026

It has been six years since the institution last met its letter delivery targets for second class post and ten years since it last met its letter delivery targets for first class post.

From BBC ● May 29, 2026

On the very first day, in my very first class, there he was.

From "A Good Kind of Trouble" by Lisa Moore Ramée

“Right away we were treated really first-class, man. First-class,” bassist Bakithi Kumalo recalls.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026

Your first-class ticket could soon be second class as U.S. airlines add to their dizzying roster of seating options.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 13, 2026

He has still only played four first-class matches for the Red Rose county - the most recent in 2024.

From BBC ● Aug. 11, 2026

"This is the third elimination in a row, so we are not part of the first-class teams any more."

From BBC ● Jun. 30, 2026

“The name’s Tony Bomboloni. My friends call me Big Tony. I’m a dog whisperer. You give me your toughest cases. I’ll turn them into first-class guard dogs. Find them forever homes.”

From "Dog Squad" by Chris Grabenstein