FIRST OF ALL

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does first of all mean? 

• FIRST OF ALL (adverb)
  The adverb FIRST OF ALL has 1 sense:

1. before anything else

  Familiarity information: FIRST OF ALL used as an adverb is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• FIRST OF ALL (adverb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Before anything else

Synonyms:

first; first of all; first off; firstly; foremost

Context example:

first we must consider the garter snake

 Context examples 

First of all, I want you gentlemen to understand that I have known this lady since she was a child.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

First of all, he asked Miss Lucas.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

But first of all, we've got to tie up Dennin so he can't escape.

(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)

First of all, we saw the body of this unfortunate man.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

But, first of all, it was necessary that I should make arrangements for the wife and the son, of whose existence you and my other friends were ignorant.

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Mr. Arrow, first of all, turned out even worse than the captain had feared.

(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

First of all, she would bring out the immense account-book, and lay it down upon the table, with a deep sigh.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

And, first of all, we must choose our positions.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

But first of all, you must tell me the name of the young lady I am going to talk about.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)

First of all, under our directions, he undid the rope from the tree-stump and threw one end of it across to us.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)