first-rate Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective satellite of the highest quality
    ace; tops; topnotch; A-one; top-notch; crack; tiptop; super.
    • an ace reporter
    • a crack shot
    • a first-rate golfer
    • a super party
    • played top-notch tennis
    • an athlete in tiptop condition
    • she is absolutely tops
  2. adverb quite well
    very well.
    • she doesn't feel first-rate today

WordNet


First"-rate` adjective
Definitions
  1. Of the highest excellence; preëminent in quality, size, or estimation.
    Our only first-rate body of contemporary poetry is the German. M. Arnold.
    Hermocrates . . . a man of first-rate ability. Jowett (Thucyd).
First"-rate` noun
Definitions
  1. (Naut.) A war vessel of the highest grade or the most powerful class.

Webster 1913