Phrase guide

come first

verb · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To win first place in a competition.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • Sally came first in the calligraphy competition.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To be the most important thing to consider.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • Near-synonym: override
  • Don't forget: safety comes first.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: override

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

17 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 名列第一 (míngliè dì-yī) — win first place in competition
  • Finnish: voittaa — win first place in competition
  • Finnish: tulla ensimmäiseksi — win first place in competition
  • French: arriver premier — win first place in competition
  • Russian: побежда́ть (pobeždátʹ) — win first place in competition
  • Russian: победи́ть (pobedítʹ) — win first place in competition
  • Russian: выи́грывать (vyígryvatʹ) — win first place in competition
  • Russian: вы́играть (výigratʹ) — win first place in competition
  • Chinese Mandarin: 放在首位 (fàng zài shǒuwèi) — be the most important thing to consider
  • Chinese Mandarin: 第一 (dì-yī) — be the most important thing to consider
  • Finnish: olla tärkeintä — be the most important thing to consider
  • Finnish: olla ykkösasia — be the most important thing to consider
  • Finnish: olla ykkönen — be the most important thing to consider
  • French: primer — be the most important thing to consider
  • French: d'abord — be the most important thing to consider
  • French: avant tout — be the most important thing to consider
  • Russian: пре́жде всего́ (préžde vsevó) — be the most important thing to consider