determiner

one

one [number,determiner] (NUMBER)

The number 1

US /wʌn/ 
UK /wʌn/ 
Example: 

You've got three bags and I've only got one.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

number, adjective

1 the number 1:
One and one make two (1 + 1 = 2).
Only one person spoke.

2 a person or thing, especially when they are part of a group:
One of my friends is ill.
I've lost one of my books.

3 only:
You are the one person I can trust.

4 used for talking about a particular time, without saying exactly when:
I'll come over one evening.

one by one first one, then the next, etc.; separately:
Please come in one by one.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

one

I. one1 S1 W1 /wʌn/ BrE AmE number
1. the number 1:
They had one daughter.
one hundred and twenty-one pounds
Come back at one (=one o'clock).
Katie’s almost one (=one year old).
2. one or two a small number of people or things SYN a few:
There are one or two things to sort out before I leave.
one or two of
One or two of us knew him quite well.
3. in ones and twos British English alone or in pairs, rather than in large numbers or groups:
Guests arrived in ones and twos.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

one

one [one ones] number, determiner, pronoun   [wʌn]    [wʌn]

number, determiner
1. the number 1
Do you want one or two?
There's only room for one person.
One more, please!
• a one-bedroomed apartment

• I'll see you at one (= one o'clock).

2. used in formal language or for emphasis before hundred, thousand, etc, or before a unit of measurement
• It cost one hundred and fifty pounds.

• He lost by less than one second.

3. used for emphasis to mean ‘a single’ or ‘just one’

• There's only one thing we can do.

4. a person or thing, especially when they are part of a group
• One of my friends lives in Brighton.

• One place I'd really like to visit is Bali.

5. used for emphasis to mean ‘the only one’ or ‘the most important one’
He's the one person I can trust.
• Her one concern was for the health of her baby.

• It's the one thing I can't stand about him.

6. used when you are talking about a time in the past or the future, without actually saying which one
• I saw her one afternoon last week.

One day (= at some time in the future) you'll understand.

7. the same

• They all went off in one direction.

8. (informal, especially NAmE) used for emphasis instead of a or an
• That was one hell of a game!

• She's one snappy dresser.

9. used with a person's name to show that the speaker does not know the person
Syn:  certain
He worked as an assistant to one Mr Ming.
more at all in one at  all  pron., be in a minority of one at  minority, back to square one at  square  n.  
Word Origin:
Old English ān, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch een and German ein, from an Indo-European root shared by Latin unus. The initial w sound developed before the 15th cent. and was occasionally represented in the spelling; it was not accepted into standard English until the late 17th cent.  
Grammar Point:
one / ones
One/ones is used to avoid repeating a countable noun, but there are some times when you should not use it, especially in formal speech or writing:
After a possessive (my, your, Mary’s, etc.), some, any, both or a number, unless it is used with an adjective: ‘Did you get any postcards?’ ‘Yes, I bought four nice ones.’ ◊ I bought four ones.
It can be left out after superlatives, this, that, these, those, either, neither, another, which, etc: ‘Here are the designs. Which (one) do you prefer?’ ‘I think that (one) looks the most original.’
These ones and those ones are not used in NAmE, and are unusual in BrE: Do you prefer these designs or those?
It is never used to replace uncountable nouns and is unusual with abstract countable nouns: The Scottish legal system is not the same as the English system, is better than …as the English one.

Idioms: as one  at one  for one  get one over somebody  get something in one  go one better  in one  one after the other  one and all  one and only  one and the same  one by one  one for something  one or two  one up  when you've seen/heard one/you've seen/heard them all

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
 

one / wʌn / number , determiner (NUMBER)

A1 the number 1:

You've got three bags and I've only got one.

She'll be one year old tomorrow.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

one

[wʌ̱n]
 
 ones

 1) NUM One is the number 1.
  They had three sons and one daughter.
  ...one thousand years ago...
  Scotland beat England one-nil at Wembley.
  ...one of the children killed in the crash.
 2) ADJ: det ADJ (emphasis) If you say that someone or something is the one person or thing of a particular kind, you are emphasizing that they are the only person or thing of that kind.
  They had alienated the one man who knew the business...
  His one regret is that he has never learned a language.
  Syn:
  only
 3) DET: DET sing-n (emphasis) One can be used instead of `a' to emphasize the following noun.
  There is one thing I would like to know - What is it about Tim that you find so irresistible?...
  One person I hate is Russ.
 4) DET: DET adj sing-n (emphasis) You can use one instead of `a' to emphasize the following adjective or expression. [INFORMAL]
  If we ever get married we'll have one terrific wedding...
  It's like one enormous street carnival here.
 5) DET: DET n-proper You can use one in front of someone's name to indicate that you have not met them or heard of them before. [FORMAL]
  It seems that the fifth man is one John Cairncross.
  Syn:
  a certain
 6) DET: DET sing-n You can use one to refer to the first of two or more things that you are comparing.
  Prices vary from one shop to another...
  The road hugs the coast for hundreds of miles, the South China Sea on one side, jungle on the other.
 ADJ: det ADJ
 One is also an adjective. We ask why peace should have an apparent chance in the one territory and not the other.
 PRON
 One is also a pronoun. The twins were dressed differently and one was thinner than the other.
 7) PRON You can use one or ones instead of a noun when it is clear what type of thing or person you are referring to and you are describing them or giving more information about them.
  They are selling their house to move to a smaller one...
  We test each one to see that it flies well.
 8) PRON You use ones to refer to people in general.
  We are the only ones who know.
 9) PRON: PRON of n, PRON that You can use one instead of a noun group when you have just mentioned something and you want to describe it or give more information about it.
  His response is one of anger and frustration...
  The issue of land reform was one that dominated Hungary's parliamentary elections.
 10) DET: DET sing-n You can use one when you have been talking or writing about a group of people or things and you want to say something about a particular member of the group.
  `A college degree isn't enough', said one honors student.
 PRON
 One is also a pronoun. Some of them couldn't eat a thing. One couldn't even drink.
 11) QUANT: QUANT of adj-superl You use one in expressions such as `one of the biggest airports' or `one of the most experienced players' to indicate that something or someone is bigger or more experienced than most other things or people of the same kind.
  Subaru is one of the smallest Japanese car makers.
 12) DET: DET sing-n You can use one when referring to a time in the past or in the future. For example, if you say that you did something one day, you mean that you did it on a day in the past.
 one daysee day
  How would you like to have dinner one night, just you and me?...
  Then one evening Harry phoned, asking me to come to their flat as soon as possible.
 13) PRON: with supp You can use one to refer to a question, joke, remark, or subject of discussion.
  This is a tricky one to answer...
  Have you heard the one about the Irishman, the Englishman and the American?...
  I told him I'd have to think about that one.
 14) PRON You can use one to refer to an alcoholic drink. [INFORMAL]
  Other members of the committee drifted in for a quick one before closing time.
 15) PRON You use one to make statements about people in general which also apply to themselves. One can be used as the subject or object of a sentence. [FORMAL]
  If one looks at the longer run, a lot of positive things are happening...
  Where does one go from there?...
  Shares and bonds can bring one quite a considerable additional income.
 16) PHRASE: PHR after v If a group of people does something as one, all the people do the same thing at the same time or in the same way. [WRITTEN]
  The 40,000 crowd rose as one.
 17) PHRASE: oft with brd-neg, v-link PHR n/-ing If you say that someone is one for or is a one for something, you mean that they like or approve of it or enjoy doing it.
  I'm not one for political discussions...
  She was a real one for flirting with the boys.
 18) PHRASE: PHR before v (emphasis) You can use for one to emphasize that a particular person is definitely reacting or behaving in a particular way, even if other people are not.
  I, for one, hope you don't get the job.
 19) PHRASE: usu PHR pl-n (emphasis) You can use expressions such as a hundred and one, a thousand and one, and a million and one to emphasize that you are talking about a large number of things or people.
  There are a hundred and one ways in which you can raise money.
 20) PHRASE: pl-n PHR, PHR after v You can use in one to indicate that something is a single unit, but is made up of several different parts or has several different functions.
  ...a love story and an adventure all in one...
  This cream moisturises and repairs in one.
 21) PHRASE: PHR with cl You can use in ones and twos to indicate that people do things or something happens gradually and in small groups.
  They lose interest and start drifting away in ones and twos.
 22) PHRASE: PHR with cl You use one after the other or one after another to say that actions or events happen with very little time between them.
  My three guitars broke one after the other...
  One after another, people described how hard it is for them to get medical care.
 23) PHRASE: PHR n-proper The one and only can be used in front of the name of an actor, singer, or other famous person when they are being introduced on a show.
  ...one of the greatest ever rock performers, the one and only Tina Turner.
 24) PHRASE: PHR with cl You can use one by one to indicate that people do things or that things happen in sequence, not all at the same time.
  We went into the room one by one...
  One by one the houses burst into flames.
 25) PHRASE: usu PHR of pl-n You use one or other to refer to one or more things or people in a group, when it does not matter which particular one or ones are thought of or chosen.
  One or other of the two women was wrong.
 26) PHRASE: oft PHR pl-n, PHR of pl-n One or two means a few.
  We may make one or two changes...
  I've also sold one or two to an American publisher...
  I asked one or two of the stallholders about it.
  Syn:
  a few
 27) PHRASE: PHR to-inf, usu v-link PHR If you say that someone is not one to do something, you think that it is very unlikely that they would do it because it is not their normal behaviour.
  I'm not one to waste time on just anyone.
 28) PHRASE: PHR n, usu v-link PHR, PHR after v If you try to get one up on someone, you try to gain an advantage over them.
  ...the competitive kind who will see this as the opportunity to be one up on you.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary: 

1one /ˈwʌn/ noun, pl ones
1 [count] : the number 1
one, two, three, four, …
2 [count] US : a one-dollar bill
• I don't have any ones. Can you break a five?
3 [noncount] : one o'clock
• I'll be there at one.
4 [count] : the first in a set or series
• On day one of his diet, he cut out sweets.
• She wears a size one.
as one formal
1 : at the same time : all together
• They rose as one and cheered her.
2 : in agreement with each other
• We are as one on this issue.
at one with
1 : in a peaceful state as a part of something else
• I feel at one with nature. [=I feel very closely connected to nature]
2 formal : in a state of agreement with another person
• I am at one with you on this issue.
for one : as an example
• I, for one, disagree. [=I disagree]
• There were many spelling mistakes in the essay. “There” for “their,” for one.
in one : combined in a single thing
• a dictionary and thesaurus (all) in one
• a DVD and VCR player in one
the odd one out
- see 1odd

third

third [ordinal number]
Example: 

The third of Mordad

coming after two other things in a series

Persian equivalent: 
Example: 

The third of Mordad

Oxford Essential Dictionary

third

 pronoun, adjective, adverb

1 3rd

2 one of three equal parts of something;

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

third

I. third1 /θɜːd $ θɜːrd/ BrE AmE adjective
[Language: Old English; Origin: thridda, thirdda]
1. coming after two other things in a series:
in the third century
her third birthday
2. third time lucky British English, (the) third time’s the charm American English spoken used when you have failed to do something twice and hope to be successful the third time
—third pronoun:
I’m planning to leave on the third (=the third day of the month).
—thirdly adverb

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

third

 

 

third [third thirds] ordinal number, noun   [θɜːd]    [θɜːrd] 

 

ordinal number
3rd  There are examples of how to use ordinal numbers at the entry for fifth.  
Word Origin:
Old English thridda, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch derde and German dritte, also to three. The spelling thrid was dominant until the 16th cent. (but thirdda is recorded in Northumbrian dialect as early as the 10th cent.).

Idiom: third time lucky 

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
 

third / θɜːd /   / θɝːd / ordinal number [ S ]

A2 3rd written as a word:

the third road on the right

the third time

"What's the date today?" "It's the third ( of July)."

She was/came third in the competition.

© Cambridge University Press 2013

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

third

[θɜ͟ː(r)d]
 ♦♦
 thirds

 1) ORD The third item in a series is the one that you count as number three.
  I sleep on the third floor...
  It was the third time one of his cars had gone up in flames...
  He came third in the poll with 149 votes...
  The attack was the third so far this year.
 2) FRACTION A third is one of three equal parts of something.
  A third of the cost went into technology and services...
  Only one third get financial help from their fathers...
  He divided their kingdom into thirds.
 3) ADV: ADV with cl (not last in cl) You say third when you want to make a third point or give a third reason for something.
  First, interest rates may take longer to fall than is hoped. Second, in real terms, lending may fall. Third, bad loans could wipe out much of any improvement.
  Syn:
  thirdly
 4) N-COUNT: usu sing A third is the lowest honours degree that can be obtained from a British university.

 

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary: 

1third /ˈɵɚd/ adj always used before a noun
1 a : occupying the number three position in a series
• We sat in the third row.
• the third house on the left
• the author's third novel
• C is the third letter in the alphabet.
• That's the third time I've seen him today.
• The office is on the third floor.
b : next to the second in importance or rank
• I won third prize.
• Do you have a third choice?
2 : equal in size, value, amount, etc., to one third of something
• a third share in the profits
• a third pound of cheese
3 : used to refer to the third forward gear or speed of a vehicle
• shift into third gear
the third time is the charm US or Brit third time lucky
- used to say that two efforts at something have already failed but perhaps the third will be successful;
- third adv
• She finished third in the race.
• the third highest mountain

second

second [ordinal number, determiner]
US /ˈsek.ənd/ 
UK /ˈsek.ənd/ 
Example: 

She doesn't like her father's second wife. 

the second person, thing, event etc is the one that comes after the first

Persian equivalent: 
Example: 

She doesn't like her father's second wife. 

Oxford Essential Dictionary

adjective, adverb
next after first:
February is the second month of the year.
She came second in the race.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

second

I. second1 S1 W1 /ˈsekənd/ BrE AmE number
1. the second person, thing, event etc is the one that comes after the first:
the Second World War
the second of August
a second year student
his second wife
Clinton’s second term in office
the second half of the year
the second time in three days
2. the position in a competition or scale that comes after the one that is the best, most successful etc:
She won second prize.
They climbed to second place in the League.
second largest/most successful etc
Africa’s second highest mountain
be second only to something (=used to emphasize that something is nearly the largest, most important etc)
The euro will have a circulation second only to that of the dollar.
3. another example of the same thing, or another in addition to the one you have:
We advertised for a second guitarist.
There was a second reason for his dismissal.
I asked the doctor for a second opinion (=when you ask another person to repeat an examination, test etc for you).
4. every second year/person/thing etc
a) the second, then the fourth, then the sixth year etc:
The nurse comes every second day.
b) used to emphasize that, in a group of similar things, there is too much of one particular thing:
Every second house seemed to be boarded up.
5. be second to none to be the best:
The quality of Britain’s overseas aid programme is second to none.
6. second chance help given to someone who has failed, in the hope that they will succeed this time:
I just want to give these kids a second chance.
7. have second thoughts to start having doubts about a decision you have made:
You’re not having second thoughts, are you?
have second thoughts about
She’d had second thoughts about the whole project.
8. on second thoughts British English, on second thought American English spoken used to say that you have changed your mind about something:
I’ll call her tomorrow – no, on second thought, I’ll try now.
9. not give something a second thought/without a second thought used to say that someone does not think or worry about something:
She dismissed the rumour without a second thought.
10. not give something a second glance/look (also without a second glance/look) to not look at something again, because you have not really noticed it or because it does not seem important:
No one gave the woman in the grey uniform a second glance.
11. be/become second nature (to somebody) something that is second nature to you is something you have done so often that you do it almost without thinking:
Driving becomes second nature after a while.
12. second wind a new feeling of energy after you have been working or exercising very hard, and had thought you were too tired to continue:
He got his second wind and ran on.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

II. sec·ond 1 [second seconds seconded seconding] determiner, ordinal number, adverb, noun, verb   [ˈsekənd]    [ˈsekənd] 

see also  second2

determiner, ordinal number
1. happening or coming next after the first in a series of similar things or people; 2nd
This is the second time it's happened.
Italy scored a second goal just after half-time.
the second of June/June 2nd
• He was the second to arrive.

• We have one child and are expecting our second in July.

2. next in order of importance, size, quality, etc. to one other person or thing
Osaka is Japan's second-largest city.
Birmingham, the UK's second city
The spreadsheet application is second only to word processing in terms of popularity.

• As a dancer, he is second to none (= nobody is a better dancer than he is).

3. only before noun another; in addition to one that you already own or use
They have a second home in Tuscany.
teachers of English as a second language (= to people who already speak one or more other languages)  
Word Origin:

early 19th cent. French en second ‘in the second rank (of officers)’

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
 

second / ˈsek. ə nd / ordinal number , determiner

A1 immediately after the first and before any others:

Is Brian her first or second child?

This is the second time I've had flu this winter.

Today is the second ( of March).

A1 the position in which a person finishes a race or competition if they finish immediately behind the winner:

First prize is a fortnight in Barbados and second prize is a weekend in Rome.

Jones took second place in the long jump.

B1 Second is used to show that only one thing is better, bigger, etc. than the thing mentioned:

St Petersburg is Russia's second (biggest/largest) city.

Iraq's oil reserves are second only to Saudi Arabia's.

B1 another:

She is often described as the second Marilyn Monroe.

You really ought to make the most of the opportunity, because you won't get a second chance .

Richard and Liz have a second home in France.

Pay attention to what she's saying because she won't explain it a second time .

happening only once out of every two possible times:

We've decided to hold the conference every second year.

→  Compare alternate adjective

© Cambridge University Press 2013

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

second

I PART OF A MINUTE
 

 seconds
 N-COUNT

 (Pronounced [se̱kənd] in second 1 and 2, and [sɪkɒ̱nd] in second 3.)
 A second is one of the sixty parts that a minute is divided into. People often say `a second' or `seconds' when they simply mean a very short time.
  For a few seconds nobody said anything...
  It only takes forty seconds...
  Her orbital speed must be a few hundred meters per second...
  Within seconds the other soldiers began firing too...
  Seconds later, firemen reached his door.II COMING AFTER SOMETHING ELSE
 

 seconds, seconding, seconded
 (Pronounced [se̱kənd] in second 1 and 2, and [sɪkɒ̱nd] in second 3.)
 1) ORD The second item in a series is the one that you count as number two.
  ...the second day of his visit to Delhi.
  ...their second child...
  My son just got married for the second time.
  ...the Second World War...
  She was the second of nine children.
  ...King Charles the Second...
  Britain came second in the Prix St Georges Derby.
 2) ORD: ORD adj-superl Second is used before superlative adjectives to indicate that there is only one thing better or larger than the thing you are referring to.
  The party is still the second strongest in Italy.
  ...the second-largest city in the United States.
 3) ADV: ADV cl You say second when you want to make a second point or give a second reason for something.
  First, the weapons should be intended for use only in retaliation after a nuclear attack. Second, the possession of the weapons must be a temporary expedient.
 4) N-COUNT In Britain, an upper second is a good honours degree and a lower second is an average honours degree.
  I then went up to Lancaster University and got an upper second.
 5) N-PLURAL If you have seconds, you have a second helping of food. [INFORMAL]
  There's seconds if you want them.
 6) N-COUNT: usu pl Seconds are goods that are sold cheaply in shops because they have slight faults.
  It's a new shop selling discounted lines and seconds.
 7) N-COUNT: usu pl The seconds of someone who is taking part in a boxing match or chess tournament are the people who assist and encourage them.
  He shouted to his seconds, `I did it! I did it!'
 8) VERB If you second a proposal in a meeting or debate, you formally express your agreement with it so that it can then be discussed or voted on.
  [V n] ...Bryan Sutton, who seconded the motion against fox hunting...
  [V n] Your application must be proposed and seconded by current members.
  Derived words:
  seconder plural N-COUNT Candidates need a proposer and seconder whose names are kept secret.
 9) VERB If you second what someone has said, you say that you agree with them or say the same thing yourself.
  [V n] The Prime Minister seconded the call for discipline and austerity in a speech to the assembly last week.
 10) PHRASE: PHR after v If you experience something at second hand, you are told about it by other people rather than experiencing it yourself.
 → See also second-hand
  Most of them, after all, had not been at the battle and had only heard of the massacre at second hand.
 11) PHRASE: v-link PHR (emphasis) If you say that something is second to none, you are emphasizing that it is very good indeed or the best that there is.
  Our scientific research is second to none.
 12) PHRASE: usu v-link PHR If you say that something is second only to something else, you mean that only that thing is better or greater than it.
  As a major health risk hepatitis is second only to tobacco.
 13) second naturesee nature
 in the second placesee placeIII SENDING SOMEONE TO DO A JOB
 seconds, seconding, seconded
 VERB: usu passive

 (Pronounced [se̱kənd] in second 1 and 2, and [sɪkɒ̱nd] in second 3.)
 If you are seconded somewhere, you are sent there temporarily by your employer in order to do special duties. [BRIT]
  [be V-ed prep/adv] In 1937 he was seconded to the Royal Canadian Air Force in Ottawa as air armament adviser...
  [be V-ed to-inf] Several hundred soldiers have been seconded to help farmers.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary: 

1sec·ond /ˈsɛkənd/ adj always used before a noun
1 a : occupying the number two position in a series
• We sat in the second row.
• the second house on the left
• the author's second novel
• B is the second letter in the alphabet.
• That's the second time I've seen him today.
• The office is on the second floor. [=(US) the floor just above the lowest floor; (Brit) the floor that is two floors above the lowest floor]
b : next to the first in importance or rank
• Chocolate is my first choice; vanilla is my second choice.
• I won second prize.
c : another of the same kind
• They needed a second car. [=they needed two cars]
• The chair needs a second coat of paint.
• The word has a second meaning. [=the word has two meanings]
• She took a second helping [=she took another serving] of carrots.
• English as a second language [=a language that you learn in addition to the language you first learned when you were a young child]
• I could have fired him, but I gave him a second chance. [=I gave him another chance]
• I recommend you get a second opinion. [=advice from another doctor to make sure the first advice is right]
• He passed her by without (giving her) a second glance. [=he didn't notice her]
• She liked the house enough to give it a second look. [=she looked at the house again]
2
- used to refer to the forward gear or speed of a vehicle that is next to the lowest forward gear
• You should put the car in second gear when you go up the hill.
- sometimes used figuratively
• The movie never really gets out of second gear.
• The program is shifting into second gear now that all the proposals have been approved.
3 : having or playing the part in a group of instruments that is one level lower than the first
• She plays second violin in the city orchestra.
- see also play second fiddle at 1fiddle
every second
- used to indicate how often a repeated activity happens or is done
• We elect a mayor every second year. [=in alternate years; every other year]
second only to : only less important than (something or someone)
• Rice is second only to corn as the state's major crop.
second to none
- see 1none

first

first [ordinal number, determiner]
US /ˈfɝːst/ 
UK /ˈfɜːst/ 
Example: 

I am the first child in the family. 

coming before all the other things or people in a series

Persian equivalent: 
Example: 

I am the first child in the family. 

Oxford Essential Dictionary

adjective
before all the others:
January is the first month of the year.
You've won first prize!

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

first

I. first1 S1 W1 /fɜːst $ fɜːrst/ BrE AmE adjective
[Language: Old English; Origin: fyrst]
1. IN A SERIES coming before all the other things or people in a series:
Ella was his first girlfriend.
the first thing/time/day etc
The first time I flew on a plane I was really nervous.
In the first year, all students take five courses.
He said the first thing that came into his head.
the first step towards achieving a peace agreement
There’s a meeting on the first Monday of every month.
the first two/three/few etc
I only read the first two chapters of the book.
It rained during the first few days of the trip.
The first and last mountain I climbed was Mount Rundle (=it was the only mountain I ever climbed).
2. for the first time used to say that something has never happened or been done before:
For the first time in his life he felt truly happy.
The survey revealed that, for the first time, there are more women in the workplace than men.
Not for the first time she wondered how he coped with so many children.
3. MAIN most important:
Our first priority is to maintain the standard of work.
As I see it, my first responsibility is to my family.
4. in the first place
a) used to talk about the beginning of a situation, or the situation before something happened:
Why did you agree to meet her in the first place?
He wouldn’t have given you the job in the first place if he didn’t think you could do it.
b) written used to give the first in a list of reasons or points:
Her success was secured by two factors. In the first place, she had the support of managers.
5. in the first instance formal at the start of a situation or series of actions:
The appointment of research officer will be for two years in the first instance.
Enquiries should be made in the first instance to the Human Resources Director.
6. at first glance/sight the first time that you look at someone or something, before you notice any details:
At first glance the twins look identical.
At first sight, there didn’t appear to be much damage. ⇨ love at first sight at ↑love2(2)
7. first things first used to say that something should be done or dealt with first because it is the most important
8. (at) first hand if you see, experience, hear etc something at first hand, you see, experience etc it yourself, not through other people:
Many people have seen the horrors of war at first hand. ⇨ ↑first-hand
9. first prize/place the prize that is given to the best person or thing in a competition
win/take first prize
She won first prize in a painting competition.
first prize/place of
There is a first prize of £10,000.
10. first choice the thing or person you like best:
John was our first choice as a name for the baby.
11. first thing as soon as you get up in the morning, or as soon as you start work:
I’ll call you first thing tomorrow.
We’re leaving first thing.
12. at first light literary very early in the morning:
The search will resume at first light tomorrow.
13. make the first move to be the person who starts to do something when someone else is too nervous, embarrassed etc to do it:
He was glad she had made the first move and kissed him.
14. not have the first idea about something (also not know/understand the first thing about something) to not know anything about a subject, or not know how to do something:
I wouldn’t have the first idea about what to do in that situation.
I don’t know the first thing about cars.
15. the first flush of something the beginning of a good period of time when you are young, successful etc
be in the first flush of passion/youth etc
He was no longer in the first flush of youth.
The first flush of enthusiasm had passed.
16. JOB TITLE used in the title of someone’s job or position to show that they have a high rank:
the first officer
the First Lord of the Admiralty
17. first among equals officially on the same level as other people but really having more power
18. of the first water old-fashioned of the highest quality

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

first

 

 

first [first firsts] determiner, ordinal number, adverb, noun   [fɜːst]    [fɜːrst] 

 

determiner, ordinal number
1. happening or coming before all other similar things or people; 1st
his first wife
It was the first time they had ever met.
I didn't take the first bus.
students in their first year at college
your first impressions
She resolved to do it at the first (= earliest) opportunity.
King Edward I (= pronounced ‘King Edward the First’)
• the first of May/May 1st

• His second book is better than his first.

2. the most important or best
Your first duty is to your family.
• She won first prize in the competition.

• an issue of the first importance

Rem: Most idioms containing first are at the entries for the nouns and adjectives in the idioms, for example on first acquaintance is at acquaintance.  
Word Origin:
Old English fyr(e)st; of Germanic origin, related to Old Norse fyrstr and German Fürst ‘prince’, from an Indo-European root shared by Sanskrit prathama, Latin primus, and Greek prōtos.  
Thesaurus:
first det., adj.
1.
It was the first time they had ever met.
initialoriginalearliestopeningintroductorypreliminary|especially BrE, formal preparatory|formal technical primary
Opp: last
the first/initial/earliest/opening/introductory/preliminary/preparatory/primary stage
a/an first/initial/original/preliminary estimate/draft/version
a/an first/initial/preliminary step/appointment/visit
2.
She won first prize in the competition.
topmainkeyhighestprimaryprime|informal number one|especially written foremost|especially written journalism premier
Opp: last
the/our first/top/main/key/highest/number one/foremost priority
the/our first/top/main/key/primary/prime/foremost/number one concern
(the) first/top/premier division/prize  
Language Bank:
first
Ordering your points
This study has the following aims: first , to investigate how international students in the UK use humour; second , to examine how jokes can help to establish social relationships; and, third , to explore the role that humour plays in helping overseas students adjust to life in the UK.
Let us begin by identifying some of the popular joke genres in the UK.
Next, let us turn to / Next, let us consider the question of gender differences in the use of humour.
Finally / Lastly , let us briefly examine the role of humour in defining a nation's culture.
notes at firstly, lastly
Language Banks at conclusion, process  
Example Bank:
First impressions can be misleading.
I didn't take the first bus.
If he wants to see me, he should make the first move.
Local voters gave Steven Hughes first preference.
My first impulse was to run away.
She resolved to do it at the first opportunity.
She's in her first year at college
This is an issue of the first importance.
We're having chicken for the first course.
When the first settlers moved into the area they faced immense hardship.
• You can have first choice of all the rooms.

Idioms: at first  come first  first among equals  first and foremost  first and last  first come, first served  first of all  first off  first up  from first to last  from the first  put somebody first  there's a first time for everything 

 

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
 

first / ˈfɜːst /   / ˈfɝːst / ordinal number , determiner

A1 (a person or thing) coming before all others in order, time, amount, quality, or importance:

This is my first visit to New York.

I fell in love with him the first time I saw him.

I'm always nervous for the first few minutes of an exam.

Today is the first ( of August).

in the first place B2 in or at the beginning (of a series of events):

The trousers shrank when I washed them, but they weren't really big enough in the first place.

Thankfully, he wasn't hurt, but he never should have been there in the first place.

in the first instance UK as the first attempt or effort:

Enquiries about the post should be addressed in the first instance to the personnel manager.

first thing at the earliest time in the day:

He said he'd phone back first thing tomorrow.

© Cambridge University Press 2013

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

first

[fɜ͟ː(r)st]
 
 firsts

 1) ORD The first thing, person, event, or period of time is the one that happens or comes before all the others of the same kind.
  She lost 16 pounds in the first month of her diet.
  ...the first few flakes of snow...
  Two years ago Johnson came first in the one hundred metres at Seoul.
  Ant:
  last
 PRON
 First is also a pronoun. The second paragraph startled me even more than the first... He put me through a series of exercises to improve my car control. The first was to drive on simulated ice.
 2) ADV: ADV with v, ADV with cl/group If you do something first, you do it before anyone else does, or before you do anything else.
  I do not remember who spoke first, but we all expressed the same opinion...
  First, tell me what you think of my products...
  Routine questions first, if you don't mind.
 3) ORD When something happens or is done for the first time, it has never happened or been done before.
  This is the first time she has experienced disappointment...
  It was the first occasion when they had both found it possible to keep a rendezvous.
 ADV: ADV with v
 First is also an adverb. Anne and Steve got engaged two years after they had first started going out... I met him first at his house where we had a chat.
 4) N-SING: a N, oft N for n An event that is described as a first has never happened before and is important or exciting.
  It is a first for New York. An outdoor exhibition of Fernando Botero's sculpture on Park Avenue.
 5) PRON: the PRON that The first you hear of something or the first you know about it is the time when you first become aware of it.
  We heard it on the TV last night - that was the first we heard of it...
  When Mark arrived home that afternoon, it was the first he knew for sure of the surprise party.
 6) ADV: ADV before v You use first when you are talking about what happens in the early part of an event or experience, in contrast to what happens later.
  When he first came home he wouldn't say anything about what he'd been doing.
  Syn:
  initially
 ORD: usu poss ORD
 First is also an ordinal. She told him that her first reaction was disgust... My first feeling on getting into the cabin was one of dislike to everything I saw.
 7) ADV: ADV after v (emphasis) In order to emphasize your determination not to do a particular thing, you can say that rather than do it, you would do something else first.
  Marry that fat son of a fat cattle dealer? She would die first!
 8) ADV: ADV with cl/group You use first when you are about to give the first in a series of items.
  Certain basic guidelines can be given. First, have a heating engineer check the safety of the heating system.
  Syn:
  firstly
 9) ORD The first thing, person, or place in a line is the one that is nearest to you or nearest to the front.
  Before him, in the first row, sat the President...
  First in the queue were two Japanese students.
  Ant:
  last
 10) ORD You use first to refer to the best or most important thing or person of a particular kind.
  The first duty of any government must be to protect the interests of the taxpayers...
  Imagine winning the local lottery first prize of ₤5,000.
  ...first team football.
 11) ORD First is used in the title of the job or position of someone who has a higher rank than anyone else with the same basic job title.
  ...the First Lord of the Admiralty.
  ...the first mate of a British tanker.
 12) N-COUNT: oft N in n In British universities, a first is an honours degree of the highest standard.
  ...an Oxford Blue who took a First in Constitutional History.
 13) PHRASE: PHR with cl/group You use first of all to introduce the first of a number of things that you want to say.
  The cut in the interest rates has not had very much impact in California for two reasons. First of all, banks are still afraid to loan.
 14) PHRASE: PHR with cl You use at first when you are talking about what happens in the early stages of an event or experience, or just after something else has happened, in contrast to what happens later.
  At first, he seemed surprised by my questions...
  I had some difficulty at first recalling why we were there.
  Syn:
  initially
 15) PHRASE: V inflects If you say that someone or something comes first for a particular person, you mean they treat or consider that person or thing as more important than anything else.
  There's no time for boyfriends, my career comes first.
 16) PHRASE You say `first come first served' to indicate that a group of people or things will be dealt with or given something in the order in which they arrive.
  There will be five buses, first come first served.
 17) PHRASE: PHR with cl From the first means ever since something started.
  You knew about me from the first, didn't you?...
  I thought from the first that she was a little unsure about that marriage.
 18) PHRASE: PHR after v If you learn or experience something at first hand, you experience it yourself or learn it directly rather than being told about it by other people.
  He arrived in Natal to see at first hand the effects of the recent heavy fighting.
  Syn:
  from the outset
 19) PHRASE: V inflects (emphasis) If you say that you do not know the first thing about something, you are emphasizing that you know absolutely nothing about it.
  You don't know the first thing about farming.
 20) PHRASE: PHR with cl You use first off to introduce the first of a number of things that you want to say. [INFORMAL]
  First off, huge apologies for last month's confusing report.
 21) PHRASE: V inflects If you put someone or something first, you treat or consider them as more important than anything else.
  Somebody has to think for the child and put him first.
  Syn:
  firstly
 22) PHRASE You say `first things first' when you are talking about something that should be done or dealt with before anything else because it is the most important.
  Let's see if we can't find something to set the mood. First things first; some music.
 23) first and foremostsee foremost

 

 

[-fɜ͟ː(r)st]
 COMB in ADV: ADV after v
 -first combines with nouns like `head' and `feet' to indicate that someone moves with the part that is mentioned pointing in the direction in which they are moving.
  He overbalanced and fell head first.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary: 

1first /ˈfɚst/ adj
1 : coming before all others in time, order, or importance
• She won first prize.
• We sat in the first row.
• his first wife
• her first book/child
• in the first century
• his first offense
• her first kiss
• She succeeded on her first attempt/try.
• He was (the) first in line.
• We will correct these errors at the first opportunity. [=as soon as it is possible to do so]
• English is not my first [=native] language. [=it is not the language I learned first; I learned to speak another language before I learned to speak English]
• She's in first grade. [=the first level in school after kindergarten]
• I still remember the first time I saw her.
• You should leave at the first [=earliest] hint of trouble.
• My first [=initial] impulse was to say no.
• This is a matter of the first [=highest] importance.
• Your first [=main] concern should be to get well.
• the captain and the first mate [=the officer on a ship who is most important after the captain]
• She was accused of murder in the first degree. [=first-degree murder; the most serious kind of murder]
2
- used to refer to the lowest forward gear or speed of a vehicle
• I couldn't get the car out of first gear.
3 : having or playing the main part in a group of instruments
first violin
at first blush or at first glance also at first sight : when first seen or considered
At first blush, the proposal seems ridiculous.
• It appears at first glance/sight to be a simple matter of hiring more people.
at first hand : in a direct way : firsthand
• I had a chance to verify his claims at first hand.
first among equals
✦A person who is first among equals is the leader of a group of people but is officially considered equal in rights and status to the other members of the group.
• As a director, he encourages collaboration and considers himself only (the) first among equals.
first thing
1 the first thing : anything at all - used in negative statements
• He doesn't know/understand the first thing about the problems we've been having.
2 : before anything else : right away : very early
• I'll be back first thing (on) Monday morning.
• She promised to call first thing in the morning.
first things first
- used to say that you should do the things that are most important before doing other things
• I know you're eager to start shopping for a car, but first things first—you need to find out how much you can afford to spend.
• You must set priorities and learn how to put first things first.
in the first flush of
- see 1flush
in the first instance
- see instance
in the first place
- see 1place
love at first sight
- see 1love

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