first-class
/ˌfɜːst ˈklɑːs/ (bre, ipa) · [fˌɚstklˈæs] /ˌfɝːst ˈklæs/ (ame, ipa) · [fˌɚstklˈæs] /ˈfərs(t)-ˈklas/ (ame, mw) · [fˌɚstklˈæs] /ˌfɜːrst ˈklæs/ (ame, ipa)
first-class — adjective
1. very good in a way that puts something among the best of its kind — for example,
very good in a way that puts something among the best of its kind — for example, a meal, a hotel, or a piece of work that no one could reasonably complain about.
Nala served Diego a first-class meal of grilled fish and saffron rice.
attributive: first-class + noun (meal)
The new library in Salma's village has first-class facilities for children.
first-class + plural noun (facilities)
Critics agreed that the young pianist's performance was absolutely first-class.
Ada's photography studio offers first-class service at a reasonable price.
The hotel near the lake offered first-class breakfasts and warm, friendly staff.
- excellent
neutral and very common; first-class adds a stronger feeling of admiration
- outstanding
emphasises standing above others; first-class focuses more on overall quality
- top-notch
informal alternative; first-class works in both formal and informal contexts
- poor
general opposite for quality
- second-rate
implies clearly below acceptable quality
文法句型
first-class + noun
be + first-class
用法筆記
Often praises a person's skill, a piece of work, or a service. Distinguish from sense 3 (travel/hotel cabin) by checking whether the noun is a quality judgement (sense 1) or a literal cabin or ticket category (sense 3).
常見錯誤
2. describing the highest band of an undergraduate degree at British and many Commo
describing the highest band of an undergraduate degree at British and many Commonwealth universities — the band ranked above an upper second-class (a 2:1).
Nadia graduated from Edinburgh with a first-class degree in mathematics.
collocation: first-class degree in [subject]
Only six students in Mei's history class earned first-class honours that year.
collocation: first-class honours (plural)
Eitan needs a first-class result to apply for the scholarship he wants.
Joshua works night shifts and still hopes to finish with a first-class mark.
- first
informal British shorthand: 'she got a first'
- summa cum laude
rough US equivalent for the top academic band
文法句型
first-class + degree/honours
用法筆記
Almost always modifies degree, honours, mark, or result. Subject is typically a student or graduate. Not used as a predicative adjective in this sense — say 'a first-class degree', not 'his degree was first-class'.
常見錯誤
3. describing the top tier of seating, service, or accommodation that an airline, t
describing the top tier of seating, service, or accommodation that an airline, train operator, or hotel offers — costing more than the business or standard option.
Nikhil saved for two years to book a first-class cabin on the night train to Mumbai.
collocation: first-class cabin
The airline gave Élise a free upgrade to a first-class seat after the long delay.
collocation: first-class seat
Diego waited in the quiet first-class lounge before his flight to Bogotá.
Christopher and his mother shared a first-class suite at the small mountain hotel.
- economy
the cheapest travel class, opposite of first-class on planes and trains
- second-class
the band directly below on trains
文法句型
first-class + cabin/seat/ticket/lounge
用法筆記
Modifies physical travel goods (cabin, seat, ticket, lounge, suite). Subject is usually a traveller or service provider. Distinguish from sense 1: here the noun names a specific cabin or service tier, not a general quality judgement.
常見錯誤
4. describing the everyday postal service most people choose for letters — faster t
describing the everyday postal service most people choose for letters — faster than second-class in the UK, and used for ordinary letters in the US.
Jenna stuck a first-class stamp on the birthday card before the post office closed.
collocation: first-class stamp
Salma sent the wedding invitations by first-class mail to make sure they arrived on time.
collocation: first-class mail
Nikhil's bookshop charges an extra pound for first-class postage on heavy parcels.
Justin posted the rent cheque as a first-class letter to avoid late fees.
- priority
US-style label for faster postal service
- second-class
UK postal band below first-class, slower and cheaper
文法句型
first-class + stamp/mail/post
用法筆記
Modifies postal goods (stamp, mail, post, letter, postage). In the UK first-class is the faster tier (vs second-class); in the US it is the standard tier used for ordinary letters.
常見錯誤
first-class — adverb
1. in the top tier of seats or cabins on a plane, train, or ship — the level passen
in the top tier of seats or cabins on a plane, train, or ship — the level passengers pay extra for to get more comfort and space.
Tuan flew first class for the first time on his honeymoon trip to Paris.
collocation: fly first class
The retired diplomat always travelled first class on overnight trains.
collocation: travel first class
Nicholas saved his airline miles for years so he could go first class to Tokyo with his daughter.
Mei was upgraded and ended up sitting first class on the long flight home.
- in luxury
broader; covers more than just transport class
- economy
as an adverb: 'fly economy' — the cheapest travel class
文法句型
travel/fly/go + first class
用法筆記
Always written without a hyphen when used as an adverb (fly first class), even though the adjective form is hyphenated (a first-class seat). Common verbs: fly, travel, go, sit.
常見錯誤
2. using the everyday postal tier most people choose for letters — the quicker opti
using the everyday postal tier most people choose for letters — the quicker option in the UK, and the standard letter service in the US.
Diego posted the passport application first class so it would arrive before the deadline.
collocation: post first class
Ada sent the contract first class and asked for a tracking number at the counter.
collocation: send first class
Nadia always mails her grandmother's birthday cards first class to be safe.
Felix posted the wedding gift first class on Monday and it reached Glasgow by Thursday.
- second class
UK postal adverb: post something second class
文法句型
send/post/mail + first class
用法筆記
Written without a hyphen in adverbial use (send it first class). Common verbs: send, post, mail. Often appears immediately after the object of the verb.
常見錯誤
first-class — noun
1. the top seating area aboard an airplane or train where passengers pay extra for
the top seating area aboard an airplane or train where passengers pay extra for wider seats, better food, and more personal space.
Nikhil walked through first class on his way to find his seat at the back of the plane.
preposition: through/in first class (as a place)
Élise got a last-minute upgrade to first class after the flight was overbooked.
collocation: upgrade to first class
First class was almost empty on the early morning train to Brussels.
Christopher loves the quiet meals served in first class on long flights.
- premium cabin
common in airline industry language
- economy
the cheapest cabin tier on planes and trains
文法句型
in/to first class
upgrade to first class
用法筆記
Uncountable; takes no article when used generically ('travel in first class') but can take 'the' for a specific cabin ('the first class was full'). Usually paired with 'in' or 'to'.
常見錯誤
2. the postal tier most people choose for ordinary letters — quicker than second cl
the postal tier most people choose for ordinary letters — quicker than second class in the UK, and the regular letter service in the US.
Jenna chose first class so the cards would reach her cousin before the new year.
collocation: choose first class (postal)
Salma's corner shop now charges an extra pound for first class on small parcels.
collocation: charge extra for first class
Justin asked the clerk for the price of first class to Berlin.
Most birthday cards from Ada arrive on time because she always uses first class.
- second class
the cheaper, slower UK postal tier
文法句型
by first class
send/post by first class
用法筆記
Uncountable. Frequently appears with 'use', 'choose', 'pay for', or after 'by' ('send it by first class' — though the adverbial 'send it first class' is more common in everyday speech).