first and foremost

Idioms  

1. Also, first of all. Most important, primarily; also, to begin with. For example, First and foremost, I want to thank our sponsors, or What we need, first and foremost, is a new secretary, or We have to deal, first of all, with the early history. The first term, dating from the late 1300s, is redundant, since first and foremost mean virtually the same thing. Both it and the variant, which dates from the mid-1500s, are used to give emphasis to the initial item in a list of several. Also see first off; first thing.

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Example Sentences

First and foremost, the talent pool exploded.

From Los Angeles Times

"Theatre is first and foremost a recreation. But it is not just a children's playground; it can be recreation for people who like to stretch their minds."

From Barron's

First and foremost, do your homework.

From The Wall Street Journal

“I’m first and foremost grateful that Daisy has been strong enough to hang in there,” Koerner said.

From Los Angeles Times

Director Kenny McLennan said: "This new charging model is about ensuring that the benefits of Calanais flow first and foremost to the conservation of the stones and support community."

From BBC

Related Words

• basically
• chiefly
• generally
• importantly
• largely
• mostly
• notably
• particularly
• predominantly