premier

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "premier" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that is first in importance, order, or position, often referring to a leading or top-quality entity or event. Example: "The film festival is known for showcasing the premier films of the year, attracting filmmakers and audiences from around the world."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Yes, I had concerns about Mr Obeid's son working for the company … yes, I was lobbied, but that's the nature of being premier, people lobby the premier, it doesn't mean they get what they want".

The Guardian

I think it's a question for [premier] Barry O'Farrell, [former premier] Nathan Rees … as well".

The Guardian

Carr, who served as NSW premier for 10 years, entered the Senate and became foreign minister at the request of former prime minister Julia Gillard in March 2012, when Kevin Rudd returned to the backbench after losing a leadership challenge.

The Guardian

The premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the deal demonstrated her support for "responsible and sustainable development" of the port and the Galilee Basin, inland from Bowen in north Queensland.

The Guardian

The foreign affairs ministers had reportedly said they would not actively search for the migrants but on Thursday Malaysia's premier, Najib Razak, ordered the navy and maritime officials to launch a search-and-rescue mission for the boat people.

The Guardian

The NSW Icac, set up by former Liberal premier Nick Greiner, has the standing powers of a royal commission and remains the original and most powerful of any of the state corruption bodies.

The Guardian

Bill Shorten said former New South Wales premier Neville Wran "kept the light on the hill burning brightly for Labor" as it was announced Wran will be given a state funeral.

The Guardian

Submarine call themselves "the world's premier destination for original transmedia dramas, documentaries and genre-defying entertainment", which sounds verbose and pretentious, but their latest interactive documentary – Who are the champions?

The Guardian - Sport

His complaint was that the Thatcherites who so brilliantly ousted him from the leadership in 1975, never accorded him the courtesies to which an ex-leader and premier was entitled.

The Guardian

And Western Australian premier Colin Barnett, also a Liberal, said he would never agree to an increase in the GST unless the state's long-standing complaint about GST distribution was addressed.

The Guardian

The Chinese premier stayed away, however, despite close Sino-Pakistani political and military ties that Islamabad regards as its most important international relationship.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to a political leader in a parliamentary system, ensure proper capitalization (e.g., Premier of New South Wales).

Common error

Avoid using "premier" in casual or informal settings where simpler words like "top" or "best" would be more appropriate. Overuse can sound pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The word "premier" functions primarily as an adjective to denote something of the highest quality, rank, or importance. It also serves as a noun to refer to the head of government in certain parliamentary systems, as seen in Ludwig's examples from news sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Sport

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "premier" is a versatile term denoting top quality, leadership, or a first performance, as validated by Ludwig. Primarily functioning as an adjective or a noun, it commonly appears in news, sports, and business contexts. While grammatically correct, ensure appropriateness by considering the context. For varied phrasing, use synonyms like "chief" or "leading". Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase follows standard grammar rules, making it a reliable choice for formal and professional communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

chief

Replaces "premier" by indicating the highest in rank or authority.

prime

Substitutes "premier" to describe something of the highest quality or importance.

leading

Alternatives the sense of being in the forefront or most important.

top

Offers a simpler way to express the highest level or rank.

foremost

Indicates being most prominent or important; a formal alternative.

principal

Replaces "premier" in contexts where main or chief is implied.

head

Emphasizes the role of leading or governing, similar to a "premier".

superior

Indicates a higher quality or rank.

number one

Provides an informal way to state the highest rank or quality.

first-rate

Replaces "premier" with a descriptive phrase denoting excellent quality.

FAQs

How is "premier" used in a sentence?

The word "premier" can be used as an adjective to describe something of the highest quality or importance, or as a noun to refer to a head of government. For example: "This university is a "premier" research institution" or "The "premier" announced new economic policies".

What are some synonyms for "premier"?

Depending on the context, you can use synonyms such as "chief", "leading", "top", or "foremost". Each word slightly alters the nuance, so choose the one that best fits the specific meaning you intend to convey.

Is it correct to use "premier" and "premiere" interchangeably?

No, "premier" and "premiere" have different meanings. "Premier" refers to the highest in rank or quality, while "premiere" refers to the first public performance of a show or movie. Using them interchangeably would be grammatically incorrect.

What's the difference between a "premier" and a "prime minister"?

While often used synonymously, "premier" and "prime minister" can denote the leader of a government. In some countries, like Canada and Australia, "premier" refers to the leader of a state or provincial government, while "prime minister" refers to the leader of the national government. Both terms indicate the head of the executive branch in a parliamentary system.