number-one

Language: en

🇺🇸 /ˌnʌmbɜrˈwʌn/

📖 Definitions

  1. adjective
    Being the most important, foremost, or highest-ranking; first in order of importance or priority.; Ranked first in a list, chart, or competition; the top or best of its kind.
  2. noun
    The person or thing that is ranked first or considered the best in a particular category.; The most important person in an organization or group; the leader or chief.
  3. adjective
    Referring to the first in a numbered series or sequence.
  4. noun
    A song or record that has reached the top position on a music chart.
  5. adjective
    Informal: excellent, outstanding, or the best; used as an expression of approval.

🔗 Details

Word forms

countable Plural: number-ones

Collocations

number-one prioritynumber-one hitnumber-one spotnumber-one choicenumber-one fannumber-one seed

Synonyms

topleadingforemostpremierparamountfirst-rate

Antonyms

lastworstlowest-ranked

Commonly confused

number one
EN: 'number-one' (hyphenated) is used as an adjective before a noun (e.g., 'number-one priority'); 'number one' (no hyphen) is used as a noun or predicate adjective (e.g., 'she is number one').

Spelling tips

EN: Use a hyphen when 'number-one' modifies a noun directly (attributive position): 'the number-one song.' Without the hyphen, it functions as a noun or predicate: 'That song is number one.'

💬 Examples

  1. Safety is our number-one priority in this company.

  2. The song reached the number-one spot on the Billboard charts.

  3. She is the number-one in the world rankings for women's tennis.

  4. The CEO is the number-one in the company hierarchy.

  5. Please proceed to the number-one gate for boarding.

  6. The band has had five number-ones in the UK.

  7. You're number-one, kid!