Synonyms

first and last

Idioms

Under all circumstances, always, as in She was an artist first and last. (For a synonym, see above all.) This expression, first recorded in 1589, should not be confused with the similar-sounding from first to last, which means “from start to finish” or “throughout,” as in We cheered them on from first to last.

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.

Only one name on the list is redacted and the rest of the first and last names are public.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 1, 2026

He painted "California" in early 1961, shortly before he made his first and last trip to the United States for his debut exhibitions across the Atlantic, in New York and Los Angeles, it said.

From Barron's • Oct. 23, 2025

The name of the label is thought to be derived from the first and last letters of the Cameron name, with the initials of the couple's four children in between.

From BBC • Sep. 10, 2025

It is expected he could be present in court for at least the first and last day of this final phase of the trial.

From BBC • Sep. 1, 2025

“I guess we’re doing first and last names now.”

From "What If It's Us" by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023