first lieutenant: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Military
Quick answer
What does “first lieutenant” mean?
A junior commissioned officer rank in the armed forces, typically above second lieutenant and below captain.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A junior commissioned officer rank in the armed forces, typically above second lieutenant and below captain.
In the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, and Air Force, it is the second commissioned officer rank. In the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard, the equivalent rank is 'lieutenant, junior grade'. In the British Army, the equivalent rank is simply 'lieutenant'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the British Army, the rank is simply 'lieutenant' (equivalent to the U.S. 'first lieutenant'). The term 'first lieutenant' is not used as a rank title in the British Army but can be used descriptively (e.g., 'the first lieutenant of the company'). In the U.S., it is a formal rank title.
Connotations
In the U.S., it specifically denotes a defined pay grade (O-2) and level of experience. In the UK, the equivalent rank lacks the 'first' modifier, which can cause confusion in joint operations.
Frequency
High frequency in U.S. military contexts; very low to zero frequency in UK military contexts as a rank title. The term is understood in the UK but not used officially.
Grammar
How to Use “first lieutenant” in a Sentence
First Lieutenant + [Surname] (e.g., First Lieutenant Smith)the first lieutenant of + [unit]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “first lieutenant” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- He held a first-lieutenant commission.
American English
- She attended the first-lieutenant training course.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used only in historical or political science texts discussing military structure.
Everyday
Rare, except when referring to someone's specific military rank.
Technical
Core term in U.S. military doctrine, manuals, and personnel management.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “first lieutenant”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “first lieutenant”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “first lieutenant”
- Using 'First Lieutenant' to refer to a British Army officer (use 'Lieutenant').
- Confusing it with 'Lieutenant Colonel', a much higher rank.
- Omitting the hyphen when used as a compound modifier before a noun (e.g., 'first-lieutenant rank').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a junior commissioned officer rank, above Second Lieutenant but below Captain. It is an entry-level leadership position.
In the British Army, the equivalent rank is simply 'Lieutenant'. The British Army does not use the terms 'first' or 'second' lieutenant as rank titles.
Yes, in written form it is often abbreviated as '1st Lt.' or '1LT'. In direct address, simply 'Lieutenant' is used.
In the U.S. Army/Marines/Air Force, 'First Lieutenant' (O-2) is a higher rank than 'Second Lieutenant' (O-1). In the British Army, 'Lieutenant' is the rank itself, equivalent to the U.S. 'First Lieutenant'.
A junior commissioned officer rank in the armed forces, typically above second lieutenant and below captain.
First lieutenant is usually formal, military in register.
First lieutenant: in British English it is pronounced /ˌfɜːst lefˈten.ənt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌfɜːrst luːˈten.ənt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No common idioms”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'First' in command after the 'Second' lieutenant. It's the first full lieutenant rank.
Conceptual Metaphor
HIERARCHY IS A LADDER (a specific rung on the promotion ladder).
Practice
Quiz
In which military is 'First Lieutenant' a standard rank title?