English · Word Candidate

foremost

/ˈfɔː.məʊst/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Sense 1

Meaning · English

Positioned in front of (all) others in space, most forward.

Adjective

Examples

She prankes not by hir mistresse side, she preases not to bée / The foremost of the companie, as when she erst was frée.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

Coming before (all) others in time.

Adjective

Examples

[…] of both them, she / (By Pallas counsell) was to haue the grace / Of foremost greeting.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

In front, prominently forward.

Adverb

Examples

No Man hath more nicely observed our Climate, than the Bookseller who bought the Copy of this Work; He knows to a Tittle what Subjects will best go off in a dry Year, and which it is proper to expose foremost, when the Weather-glass is fallen to much Rain.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 4

Meaning · English

First in time.

Adverb

Examples

c. 1618, Philip Massinger, Thomas Middleton and William Rowley, The Old Law, London: Edward Archer, 1656, Act III, Scene 1, p. 41, Alwayes the worst goes foremost, so twill prove I hope

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “foremost” mean?

Positioned in front of (all) others in space, most forward.

Is “foremost” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.

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