Number-one
What it means
Ranking first in quality, importance, or preference.
Reach for it when describing the highest-ranked, most important, or most preferred option
Reliable service remains the team's number-one priority.
Words to choose between 7
| playful | |
|---|---|
| everyday | |
| warm | |
| professional | |
| formal |
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playful
Fits when a contest winner is being celebrated
Careful Champion does not describe general importance.
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everyday
Fits when the comparison and criterion are clear
Careful Best requires a defined field and measure.
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everyday
Fits when a short familiar rank label is enough
Careful Top can mean uppermost rather than best.
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warm
Fits when personal preference rather than objective rank leads
Careful A favorite need not be best-performing.
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professional
Fits when current comparative position is documented
Careful Leading need not mean first by every measure.
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formal
Fits when importance or excellence deserves emphasis
Careful Foremost is elevated and less numerical.
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formal
Fits when first-class status suits promotional prose
Careful Premier can become unsupported marketing.
Opposites 3
- last-ranked
- least important
- second-rate
Common phrases 3
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number-one priority
Reliable access remained the team's number-one priority.
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number-one choice
The shaded route was the walkers' number-one choice.
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ranked number-one
The small clinic ranked number-one for follow-up care.
Usage notes
Keep in mind
Number-one needs a stated criterion or clearly personal frame; otherwise it is empty superlative language.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Updated