Foremost
/ˈfɔːrməʊst/
Definitions
2 meaningsMost important, leading, or best; first in place, order, or rank.
/ˈfɔːrməʊst/
Most important or prominent
She is the foremost expert in her field.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're picking the best candy in a giant bag! If you pick the *foremost* one, you're picking the most awesome, most important candy. It’s like saying this is the number one thing.
👶 For kids: The most important or best of all.
More Examples
This is the foremost concern we have at the moment.
The foremost challenge facing the organization is funding.
How It's Used
"The foremost authority on the subject is Dr. Smith."
"The company's foremost goal is to increase market share."
In the first place; before anything else.
/ˈfɔːrməʊst/
In the first place; first of all
Foremost, we need to consider the safety of our employees.
💡 Simply: It's like when you're making a sandwich. *Foremost*, you put on the bread – that comes first! *Foremost* means doing something before everything else.
👶 For kids: First of all.
More Examples
Foremost, I would like to thank my parents for their support.
Foremost, the company’s mission is to provide excellent customer service.
How It's Used
"Foremost, we must address the issue of climate change."
"Foremost, I want to thank everyone for being here tonight."
Idioms & expressions
foremost among
Being the most important or outstanding among a group.
"She is considered the foremost among her peers in the field of medicine."
foremost in mind
The primary or most significant thought or concern.
"Safety is always foremost in our minds when designing these vehicles."
From Old English *foremost* ('first, chief'), a compound of *fore* ('before') and *most* ('greatest').
Used frequently in historical texts to denote high rank, importance, and priority.
Memory tip
Think of a forest. The *foremost* tree is the one that leads the others.
Word Origin
"fore (before) + most (greatest)"