first-rate
Americanadjective
-
excellent; superb.
-
of the highest rank, rate, or class.
adverb
adjective
-
of the best or highest rated class or quality
-
informal very good; excellent
adverb
Etymology
Origin of first-rate
First recorded in 1660–70
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The performances are first-rate; Claire and Pete, for instance, are imbued by Ms. Richards and Mr. Cullen with a distinctly unstable chemistry.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 10, 2026
Mr. Enrigue follows both groups on their hazardous journeys into the Sierra Madre, and the writing, translated by Natasha Wimmer, yields all the pleasures of a first-rate adventure with none of the sentimentality.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 5, 2026
A powerful eminent-domain law allowed the Singaporean government to amass vast property holdings, which it used to build first-rate, owner-occupied public housing.
From Slate • Nov. 4, 2025
“Mārama” doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it’s a good ride with first-rate cinematography and production design and a story with one or two more surprises than we expect.
From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 11, 2025
“I have always thought you would have made a first-rate Lord Chancellor,” he told his friend, and “I now appeal to you as Lord Chancellor!’
From "Charles and Emma: The Darwins' Leap of Faith" by Deborah Heiligman
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
