Phrase guide

first among equals

noun · 1 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

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • Australia: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

noun

Meaning 1

A person or position that is formally of equal rank to others in a group, but nonetheless takes a leading role within that group.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • The Orthodox consider the bishop of Rome to have always been merely a first among equals.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Calque of Latin primus inter pares.

Across languages

Translations

12 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Danish: primus inter pares — leading a group of equals
  • Danish: først blandt ligemænd — leading a group of equals
  • Finnish: ensimmäinen vertaistensa joukossa — leading a group of equals
  • French: premier parmi ses pairs — leading a group of equals
  • Georgian: პირველი თანასწორთა შორის (ṗirveli tanasc̣orta šoris) — leading a group of equals
  • Hungarian: első az egyenlők között — leading a group of equals
  • Irish: bheith i do shaoi i measc na sua — leading a group of equals
  • Italian: primus inter pares — leading a group of equals
  • Latin: prīmus inter parēs — leading a group of equals
  • Polish: pierwszy wśród równych — leading a group of equals
  • Russian: пе́рвый сре́ди ра́вных (pérvyj srédi rávnyx) — leading a group of equals
  • Spanish: primero entre iguales — leading a group of equals