Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

first-time

Word Rarity Common

Frequency: Zipf frequency 5.89 in modern English

Syllables: first--time
IPA

14

Scrabble Score

9

Letters

3

Syllables

7

Unique Chars

Meaning

adj

Happening for the first time; doing something for the first time.

Example Sentences

"As a first-time skydiver, I felt more than a little nervous."
"How will these rules be enforced? [...] Fines for first-time offenders who breach regulations have been increased from £60 to £100 (reducing to £50 if the fixed penalty notice is paid within 14 days), [...]."
"Huainan, a city in Anhui Province, ordered banks to extend more money and shorten loan approval times, as well as lower the mortgage rates and down payment requirements for first-time buyers."

Etymology

From first time used as a modifier.

Phrases

first-time buyer

Frequently Paired Words

first-time buyer

Antonyms

last-time

Questions

What does first-time mean?: Happening for the first time; doing something for the first time.
Where does first-time come from?: From first time used as a modifier.

How to pronounce first-time

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “first-time”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling () so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “first-time”.
Repeat and practice — Say “first-time” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.