: of the first order of size, importance, or quality
first-rateness
noun
: very well
is getting along first-rate—
Mark Twain
Mark TwainSynonyms
Adjective
- A-OK
- A1
- awesome
- bang-up
- banner
- beautiful
- blue-chip
- blue-ribbon
- boffo
- bonny [chiefly British]
- bonnie
- boss [slang]
- brag
- brave
- bully
- bumper
- capital
- choice
- classic
- cool [slang]
- corking
- crackerjack
- cracking
- dandy
- divine
- dope [slang]
- down [slang]
- dynamite
- excellent
- fab
- fabulous
- famous
- fantabulous [slang]
- fantastic
- fine
- first-class
- first-string
- five-star
- four-star
- frontline
- gangbusters
- gangbuster
- gilt-edged
- gilt-edge
- gone [slang]
- grand
- great
- groovy
- heavenly
- high-class
- hot
- hype [slang]
- immense
- jim-dandy
- keen
- lovely
- marvelous
- marvellous
- mean
- neat
- nifty
- noble
- number one
- No. 1
- numero uno
- out-of-sight [slang]
- par excellence
- peachy
- peachy keen
- phat [slang]
- prime
- primo [slang]
- prize
- prizewinning
- quality
- radical [slang]
- righteous [slang]
- sensational
- slick
- splendid
- stellar
- sterling
- superb
- superior
- superlative
- supernal
- swell
- terrific
- tip-top
- top
- top-notch
- top-of-the-line
- top-shelf
- topflight
- topping [chiefly British]
- unsurpassed
- wizard [chiefly British]
- wonderful
Examples of first-rate in a Sentence
Adjective
wanted a first-rate bike and not the cheap model she had been using
Recent Examples on the Web
Fabiola Santiago, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2025
Directed by Sundance veteran Ira Sachs, Peter Hujar’s Day takes an extended conversation between talented, creative friends and elevates it to the realm of both first-rate voyeurism and the second-hand high of reliving a lost era.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 29 Jan. 2025
Sherrie Nachman, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2023
The island is known for its outdoor experiences, including first-rate scuba diving at Jean Michel Cousteau Resort, kayaking Salt Lake in Vatudamu, and hiking to see Maroroya Falls.
—Adrienne Jordan, Travel + Leisure, 3 Mar. 2023
See all Example Sentences for first-rate 
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Adjective
But my other attendants had been first-rate, professional, safe.
—Fabiola Santiago, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2025
Directed by Sundance veteran Ira Sachs, Peter Hujar’s Day takes an extended conversation between talented, creative friends and elevates it to the realm of both first-rate voyeurism and the second-hand high of reliving a lost era.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 29 Jan. 2025
Adverb
The sushi is first-rate and the creative rolls include the Rainbow which manages to contains tuna, salmon, hamachi, shrimp and avocado.
—Sherrie Nachman, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2023
The island is known for its outdoor experiences, including first-rate scuba diving at Jean Michel Cousteau Resort, kayaking Salt Lake in Vatudamu, and hiking to see Maroroya Falls.
—Adrienne Jordan, Travel + Leisure, 3 Mar. 2023
See all Example Sentences for first-rate
Dictionary Entries Near first-rate
Cite this Entry
“First-rate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/first-rate. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.
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