adverb

first of all

furst uv AWL

First of all (adverb) means Before anything else; used to introduce the first item in a list of points, steps or objections. Example: “First of all, preheat the oven to 180°C.”

adverb

Before anything else; used to introduce the first item in a list of points, steps or objections.

"First of all, preheat the oven to 180°C."

"First of all, I never agreed to that, and second, it wasn't my decision."

How to Use First of all

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe thing to say or do before all the others.

When to use it

Neutral to informal. In speech it often signals mild indignation before a rebuttal ("First of all, how dare you"). Formal writing prefers firstly or first.

Memory tip

Follow it with a comma, and if you open a list with first of all, keep the sequence going with second, then, next and finally.

Easily confused with

at first first off firstly →

Common pairings

first of all, let me first of all, thank you first of all, I want to say

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

_____, preheat the oven to 180°C.

Synonyms

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firstly to begin with for a start in the first place

Antonyms

last of all finally

Related Words

first finally completely eventually originally primarily ultimately initially

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between first of all and at first?

First of all orders your points or steps: it means before anything else on the list. At first describes an earlier stage in time that later changed — "at first I hated it, but then I got used to it". They are not interchangeable.

Is it wrong to say first of all when you only make one point?

It is not wrong, but it sets up an expectation of a second point, so listeners may wait for one. If you have only one thing to say, use to begin with or simply say it.

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