Words / B2

FORM-ohst/ˈfɔːməʊst/

Foremost means most important or most respected: foremost among them; one of the foremost experts. Leading and chief are close. First is about order in a list, not always prestige. A foremost climate scientist. Do not write “the foremost page” if you mean the first page.

Meaning

Most important or most respected; first.

Examples

• “She is among the foremost climate scientists advising the Met Office.”
• “Foremost among the risks is sampling bias, which is the “chief” sense.”

Good to know

the foremost + expert / reason; foremost among. Close: leading / chief. Trap: first (sequence). Academic and news profiles.

Near in meaning

leading

New