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adjective

first generation

furst jen-uh-RAY-shun
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First generation (adjective) means describing a person who was born in a country to parents who immigrated there, or, in other uses, the immigrant who arrived first; the term is applied both ways depending on who is speaking. Example: “As a first-generation American, she grew up translating letters for her parents.”

adjective
1
Describing a person who was born in a country to parents who immigrated there, or, in other uses, the immigrant who arrived first; the term is applied both ways depending on who is speaking.
"As a first-generation American, she grew up translating letters for her parents."
"The charity supports first-generation immigrants applying for citizenship."
2
Describing a student who is the first in their family to attend university.
"The scholarship is reserved for first-generation college students."
"First-generation applicants often have no one at home who knows how the process works."
3
Belonging to the earliest version of a product, technology or breed, before later improved versions appeared.
"First-generation electric cars had a fraction of today's range."
"He still uses a first-generation iPad as a photo frame."

How to use first generation

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe first people in a family — or the first version of a thing — to do or be something.

When to use it

Hyphenated before a noun (a first-generation student), usually open after the verb (she is first generation). Often shortened to first-gen in American speech.

Memory tip

Because the immigration sense is genuinely ambiguous, say which you mean — "born here to immigrant parents" or "came here as an immigrant" — when precision matters.

Easily confused with
second generation next-generation first-gen
Common pairings
first-generation immigrant first-generation college student first-generation American first-generation technology
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Synonyms

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first-gen original early-model gen 1

Antonyms

next-generation latest-generation

Related words

first final original master copy initial creative pilot

Rhymes for first generation

region ablation allusion emulsion ideation novation diffusion elocution extension oxidation perfusion selection
See all rhymes for first generation →

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between first generation and second generation?
Second generation almost always means the children of immigrants, born in the new country. First generation is the ambiguous one: some use it for the immigrants themselves, others for their country-born children. If both terms appear together, first generation usually means the arrivals.
Who counts as a first-generation college student?
Definitions vary by institution, but most define it as a student whose parents did not complete a four-year degree. Some programmes count a parent's partial study or an associate degree differently, so check the specific scheme's wording.
What is the meaning of first generation?
"first generation" (adjective) means describing a person who was born in a country to parents who immigrated there, or, in other uses, the immigrant who arrived first; the term is applied both ways depending on who is speaking.
What is another word for first generation?
Other words for "first generation" include first-gen, original, early-model, gen 1.

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first final original master copy initial creative pilot