FOREMOST

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does foremost mean? 

• FOREMOST (adjective)
  The adjective FOREMOST has 3 senses:

1. ranking above all others

2. preceding all others in spatial position

3. situated closest to the bow

  Familiarity information: FOREMOST used as an adjective is uncommon.

• FOREMOST (adverb)
  The adverb FOREMOST has 2 senses:

1. prominently forward

2. before anything else

  Familiarity information: FOREMOST used as an adverb is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• FOREMOST (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Ranking above all others

Synonyms:

first; foremost; world-class

Context example:

the top graduate

Similar:

best ((superlative of 'good') having the most positive qualities)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Preceding all others in spatial position

Synonyms:

foremost; frontmost

Context example:

the foremost compartment of the ship

Similar:

front (relating to or located in the front)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Situated closest to the bow

Context example:

the foremost compartment of the ship

Similar:

fore (situated at or toward the bow of a vessel)

• FOREMOST (adverb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Prominently forward

Synonyms:

first; foremost

Context example:

he put his best foot foremost

Sense 2

Meaning:

Before anything else

Synonyms:

first; first of all; first off; firstly; foremost

Context example:

first we must consider the garter snake

 Context examples 

“He’s looking pretty bad. He’ll be going into the country feet foremost some of these days if he doesn’t pull up!”

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Holmes seemed to know the grounds perfectly, and he threaded his way swiftly among a plantation of small trees, I close at his heels, and our foremost pursuer panting behind us.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

But I have ever observed that the foremost in the field are they who would scorn to mishandle a prisoner.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

It struck poor Tom, point foremost, and with stunning violence, right between the shoulders in the middle of his back.

(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

“Take it back!” he cried, laying his hand on the breast of the foremost.

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

He stumbled from weakness and pitched head foremost on his face, cutting his cheek, his pack upon his back.

(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)

What could have happened, then, to bring one of the foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass?

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Foremost of all, of course, were the sight of the fiery caves and the certainty that some troglodytic race inhabited them.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

He sprang at the foremost man (it was the chief of the Yeehats), ripping the throat wide open till the rent jugular spouted a fountain of blood.

(The Call of the Wild, by Jack London)

Dressing myself as quietly as I could, and leaving Peggotty to look after my aunt, I tumbled head foremost into it, and then went for a walk to Hampstead.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)