number one

noun

1. oneself, especially one's own well-being or interests:

   to look out for number one.

2. a person, company, etc., that is first in rank, order, or prestige:

   Our team is number one.

3. urination: used especially by or with reference to children.

adjective

1. of the highest in quality, status, importance, etc.; first-rate:

   a number one performance.

2. first in rank, order, or prestige:

   the number one book on the bestseller list.

number one

noun

1. the first in a series or sequence
2. an informal phrase for oneself myself

   to look after number one

3. informal.
   the most important person; leader, chief

   he's number one in the organization

4. informal.
   the bestselling pop record in any one week
5. euphemistic.
   the act or an instance of urination
6. a haircut in which the hair is cut very close to the head with an electric shaver

adjective

1. first in importance, urgency, quality, etc

   number one priority

2. informal.
   (of a pop record) having reached the top of the charts

Word History and Origins

Origin of number one¹

First recorded in 1830–40

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. make / do / go number one, Informal. to urinate: used especially by or with reference to children.

Example Sentences

The Koreas have also suspended a pact aimed at lowering military tensions between them, shortly after North Korea said that the South was now “enemy number one”.

From BBC

The former world number one has played only seven tournaments this year after battling various injuries over the past couple of seasons.

From BBC

A decade into their careers, and with four number one albums, Blossoms are serious enough to have the confidence to be ludicrous.

From BBC

Raducanu's victory means British number one Katie Boulter has the opportunity to seal her nation's place in the last four of the women's team event known as the 'World Cup of Tennis'.

From BBC

British number one Boulter, who has moved into the world's top 25 after a season where she won two WTA titles, is the third-highest ranked singles player left in the competition.

From BBC

Related Words

• champion
• winner