first-class

[ furst-klas, -klahs ]

/ ˈfɜrstˈklæs, -ˈklɑs /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR first-class ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

of the highest or best class or quality: a first-class movie.

best-equipped and most expensive: a first-class railroad car.

given or entitled to preferred treatment, handling, etc.: first-class mail.

adverb

by first-class conveyance: to travel first-class.

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Words related to first-class

excellent, exclusive, first-rate, prime, shipshape, superior, top-drawer, top-notch, finest, five-star

Words nearby first-class

first world, first world problem, first world war, first-born, first-cause argument, first-class, first-come, first-day cover, first-degree, first-degree burn, first-degree murder

Origin of first-class

First recorded in 1780–90

Definition for first-class (2 of 2)

first class

noun

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

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

(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.

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

Origin of first class

First recorded in 1740–50

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for first-class

There was a first-class lounge with a sunken well and cocktail bar.
The Sexy Dream of the 747|Clive Irving|October 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I got a first-class ticket to New York, which I was into already.
'The Knick' Star Eve Hewson on Being Bono's Daughter and Injecting Cocaine Into Clive Owen's Penis|Kevin Fallon|August 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He purchased two first-class tickets on the France, a luxury liner passage to England, for his new girlfriend and himself.
The Climax of ‘Portnoy’s Complaint’|Robert Hofler|May 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But irregular Ukrainian troops armed with first-class rifles, mortars, and explosive devices would do Russian troops great damage.
Obama Must Show He’ll Use Military Means to Deter Russia in Ukraine|Leslie H. Gelb|March 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST

A lot of girls become models because there is the alluring, if distant, promise of first-class, all-designer everything.
The Price of ‘Free’: Models Moonlighting as Escorts|Anonymous|March 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Every one who has had the honour of acquaintance with a first-class office boy will understand.
William Adolphus Turnpike|William Banks
Like competent train despatchers, men able to be first-class chief operators are few and far between.
Danger Signals|John A. Hill and Jasper Ewing Brady
All first-class managers forbid the artists to be seen in "the front of the house."
The Art of Stage Dancing|Ned Wayburn
Bridget was not a first-class cook, and her limited repertory rendered the bill of fare wearisome and monotonous.
The Gentle Art of Cooking Wives|Elizabeth Strong Worthington
I saw the agents of the house in town this morning, and they tell me it is quite a first-class appointment for a mercantile one.
The Shadow of Ashlydyat|Mrs. Henry Wood

British Dictionary definitions for first-class

first class

noun

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

adjective (first-class when prenominal)

of the best or highest class or gradea first-class citizen

excellent; first-rate

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

(in Britain) of or relating to mail that is processed most quickly
(in the US and Canada) of or relating to mail that consists mainly of written letters, cards, etc

education See first (def. 10)

adverb first-class

by first-class mail, means of transportation, etc

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012