Definition of First-rate

1. Adjective. Of the highest quality. "She is absolutely tops"

Exact synonyms: A-one, Ace, Crack, Super, Tiptop, Top-notch, Topnotch, Tops
Language type: Colloquialism
Similar to: Superior

2. Adverb. Quite well. "She doesn't feel first-rate today"
Exact synonyms: Very Well

Definition of First-rate

1. Noun. (military nautical historical) A ship of the line in the British navy that had over 100 guns on three gun decks ¹

2. Adjective. (military nautical historical) Describing a ship of the line in the British navy that had over 100 guns on three gundecks ¹

3. Adjective. (context: by extension) Exceptionally good ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Lexicographical Neighbors of First-rate

first-order kinetics
first-order logic
first-order reaction
first-order spectrum
first-party
first-past-the-post
first-person
first-person plural
first-person plurals
first-person shooter
first-person shooters
first-person singular
first-person singulars
first-place finish
first-rate (current term)
first-rater
first-set rejection
first-string
first-stringer
first-teamer
first-time
first-time buyer
first-time buyers
first-year
first aid
first aid kit
first aid kits
first among equals
first and foremost

Literary usage of First-rate

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. The Cultivator by New York State Agricultural Society (1848)
"Though not fully first rate in quality, it was decided to be worthy of cultivation on account ... Summer Queen—first rate for cooking, second for the table. ..."

2. Publishers Weekly by Publishers' Board of Trade (U.S.), Book Trade Association of Philadelphia, American Book Trade Union, Am. Book Trade Association, R.R. Bowker Company (1903)
"The stories are most effective and th- humor is of a first rate order."—1'hila. Press. KENT FORT MANOR By WILLIAM. ..."

3. Encyclopaedia Britannica: A Standard Work of Reference in Art, Literature (1907)
"But th- Medea remains a tragedy of first-rate power, ït is admir able for the splendid force with which the character of thf strange and strong-hearted ..."

4. The Living Age by Making of America Project, Eliakim Littell, Robert S. Littell (1868)
"To be a Goethe a man must be familiar with many ideas that were unfamiliar to Shakspeare ; which partly explains why it is more difficult to be a first-rate ..."

5. The Encyclopedia Americana: A Library of Universal Knowledge (1918)
"As soon as the system of the country made possible first-rate printing offices in rivalry with the best printing houses in England, the American demand for ..."

6. The Works of Alexander Hamilton: Containing His Correspondence, and His by Alexander Hamilton (1851)
"In fact, a first-rate character is not attainable. A second-rate must be taken with good dispositions and barely decent qualifications. ..."

7. The American Journal of the Medical Sciences by Southern Society for Clinical Investigation (U.S.) (1879)
"Supra-pubic lithotomy is no "dernier ressort;" it is a first-rate operation, and ought to be recognized as such. ARTICLE XVI. ..."

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