First-Rate – Meaning and Examples

Alex: “What did you think of the new technical team?”

Jamie: “They are excellent. Their attention to detail is truly first-rate.”

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Because this phrase is an adjective, it should be used before a noun (e.g., “a first-rate job”) or after the verb “to be” (e.g., “The job was first-rate”). Do not use it as an adverb.

❌ Don’t say: “She performed first-rate on the stage.” (Use “first-rate performance” or “performed excellently” instead.)

✅ Do say: “She gave a first-rate performance on the stage.” (Correct use as an adjective.)

Final Note

Fantastic! You now know how to use first-rate to give the highest possible compliment to something or someone.

Keep up your first-rate effort in learning English!

When you are describing something that is the best possible quality—whether it is a service, a product, or a performance—what is a strong way to express that? In English, we use the adjective first-rate.

This idiom is perfect for praising anything that achieves the highest standard of excellence. Let’s learn how to use first-rate correctly!

What Does “First-Rate” Mean?

“First-rate” means of the highest quality, excellence, or standard. It suggests that something is superb, superior, or among the very best of its kind.

Think of it like being given a perfect score on a test or sitting in the best seat in a stadium. That level of quality is first-rate. [Image of a gold medal]

The phrase is used to describe the quality or caliber of something, usually in a positive and complimentary way.

When to Use It

Use this phrase in neutral or formal conversations when providing strong praise or positive evaluations:

• Services: Describing excellent customer service, education, or maintenance.
• Products: Complimenting the high quality, durability, or design of a product.
• Talent/Performance: Praising an individual’s skill or the quality of a show, meal, or presentation.

This phrase is neutral to formal and conveys high regard.

Example Sentences

• The hotel provides first-rate service, from the moment you check in to the moment you leave.
• Her piano performance was absolutely first-rate; she played flawlessly.
• We only use first-rate ingredients in our cooking to ensure the best flavor.
• To succeed in this company, you need to deliver first-rate work every time.

Mini Dialogue

Alex: “What did you think of the new technical team?”

Jamie: “They are excellent. Their attention to detail is truly first-rate.”

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Because this phrase is an adjective, it should be used before a noun (e.g., “a first-rate job”) or after the verb “to be” (e.g., “The job was first-rate”). Do not use it as an adverb.

❌ Don’t say: “She performed first-rate on the stage.” (Use “first-rate performance” or “performed excellently” instead.)

✅ Do say: “She gave a first-rate performance on the stage.” (Correct use as an adjective.)

Final Note

Fantastic! You now know how to use first-rate to give the highest possible compliment to something or someone.

Keep up your first-rate effort in learning English!