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Meaning & use

foremost

adjective, adverb·Academic

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UK/ˈfɔːməʊst/
US/ˈfɔrmoʊst/

Meanings

  1. adjectivebefore a nounformal

    Most important or best known among a group of people or things.

    Grammar: Usually before a noun: the foremost expert; it can also follow a linking verb in formal writing.

    Patterns

    • the foremost expert on something

    She is the foremost authority on medieval maps.

    He was the foremost poet of his generation.

    The museum holds the nation's foremost collection of stamps.

  2. adverbnot comparable

    In the first place, ahead of all else.

    Grammar: Almost always in the phrase first and foremost: first and foremost, check the date.

    Patterns

    • first and foremost

    First and foremost, thank you for coming.

    She is a mother first and foremost.

    Foremost among his concerns was the budget.

  3. adjectivebefore a noun

    Located at the very front, ahead of the others.

    Grammar: Used literally of position, such as the foremost runner.

    The foremost climber reached the ridge before dawn.

    The foremost ship signaled the fleet.

    He stood in the foremost row of the crowd.

Common combinations

first and foremost
First and foremost, be honest.
foremost expert
He is the foremost expert on bridges.
foremost among
Safety is foremost among our concerns.
foremost authority
She is the foremost authority on whales.
foremost thinker
The foremost thinker of the age gave a lecture.

Synonyms and how they differ

leading
Leading is more everyday and can mean simply in front or most successful, while foremost sounds more formal and absolute.
principal
Principal means main in importance, but does not suggest being at the front of a group.
preeminent
Preeminent is stronger and suggests clear superiority over rivals.
chief
Chief suggests highest rank in an organization, while foremost may refer to reputation.

Opposites

minorhindmostlast

Word family

fore adjective
at or toward the front
foremost adverb
in first place
forefront noun
the leading position

Commonly confused: foremost or formost?

foremost vs formost

Formost is a common misspelling; the correct word is foremost.

Practice

Which phrase correctly completes this sentence? '____, you must keep the document secure.'

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