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  1. Home /
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  3. English Dictionary /
  4. for the first time

for the first time

/fɔːr ðə fɜːrst taɪm/
the first occasion

She visited Paris for the first time last summer.

This means it was her first visit to Paris.


general

The first occasion when something happens or is experienced

I tried sushi for the first time and loved it.

This was the first time the speaker had eaten sushi.

For the first time in years, she felt truly happy.

This indicates a significant change in her emotional state.

This phrase emphasizes novelty or a new experience.

Collocations

for the first time in yearsafter a long period of not happeningfor the first time everthe very first occurrence in history

Synonyms

the first occasionthe first instancethe first occasion

Antonyms

as usualas beforerepeatedly

Related Phrases

the first timephrase
the initial occurrence of something
for the first time in a whilephrase
after a period of not happening

Pro Tip

Emphasizing novelty

Use 'for the first time' to highlight that something is happening for the first time, often with a sense of excitement or significance.

Gold Rule

Correct usage

Ensure that the event or experience being described is genuinely the first occurrence to avoid misleading the listener or reader.

Word Origin

Combination of the preposition 'for' and the superlative phrase 'the first time', indicating the initial occurrence of an event or experience.

Usage Notes

This phrase is commonly used to describe a new or unprecedented experience. It can be used in both formal and informal contexts.

Word Breakdown

for
indicates purpose or reason
preposition
+
the first
the initial or earliest
determiner
+
time
a point in time
noun
English Dictionary
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