first fruits: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1-C2 (Low frequency, specialized/figurative)Formal, literary, religious, historical, and figurative business/creative contexts.
Quick answer
What does “first fruits” mean?
The earliest agricultural produce of the season, historically offered in thanks or as a sacrifice.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The earliest agricultural produce of the season, historically offered in thanks or as a sacrifice.
The initial results, products, or achievements of any new effort, project, or period, seen as a promising sign of more to come.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Spelling follows standard national conventions for 'first'.
Connotations
Both varieties carry the same religious/historical and figurative connotations.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both varieties, slightly more common in religious texts in the US due to higher prevalence of evangelical publishing.
Grammar
How to Use “first fruits” in a Sentence
the first fruits of [NOUN PHRASE: effort, research, peace, etc.]to offer/present the first fruitsVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “first fruits” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- A first-fruits offering was made at the altar.
- The first-fruits ceremony is traditional.
American English
- A first-fruits offering was made at the altar.
- The first-fruits ceremony is traditional.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Metaphorical: 'The increased Q2 revenue is the first fruits of our new digital strategy.'
Academic
Historical/Anthropological: 'The ritual offering of first fruits was common in agrarian societies.'
Everyday
Rare. Possibly figurative: 'This finished chapter is the first fruits of my book project.'
Technical
Biblical Studies/Agriculture: 'Leviticus 23 details the offering of the first fruits (bikkurim).'
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “first fruits”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “first fruits”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “first fruits”
- Using singular 'fruit' ('first fruit' is a related but distinct term, often a proper noun for a religious offering).
- Using it for negative initial results (e.g., 'the first fruits of our failure' is atypical).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In modern usage, almost always. The singular 'first fruit' is rare and typically part of a fixed religious title (e.g., 'First Fruit Offering').
It is highly unconventional. The phrase inherently carries a positive connotation of promise and initial success from effort.
'First fruits' is more figurative, evocative, and often implies these results are a pleasing or promising sample of a larger, forthcoming 'harvest.' 'Initial results' is neutral and clinical.
No, it is a low-frequency term used primarily in formal, literary, religious, or specialized figurative contexts (e.g., business, creative projects).
The earliest agricultural produce of the season, historically offered in thanks or as a sacrifice.
First fruits is usually formal, literary, religious, historical, and figurative business/creative contexts. in register.
First fruits: in British English it is pronounced /ˌfɜːst ˈfruːts/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌfɜrst ˈfruts/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The first fruits of one's labour.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a farmer holding the VERY FIRST apple of the season. That apple represents the FIRST RESULTS (fruits) of the year's hard work.
Conceptual Metaphor
EFFORTS ARE PLANTS (labour is sowing, results are the harvest, initial results are the first ripe fruits).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the phrase 'first fruits' LEAST likely to be used?