primero

Primero is a Spanish term that can function as an adjective, an adverb, or a noun, meaning "first." As an ordinal, it denotes order in a sequence. In masculine singular form it is primero, but when placed before masculine singular nouns the contracted form primer is commonly used (for example, el primer día). Before feminine singular nouns the feminine form primera is used (la primera vez). When used after the noun or as a stand-alone pronoun, either forma or száue primero can appear in sentences such as Es el primero. The word is derived from Latin primarius, from primus.

In cuisine, primero refers to the first course in a traditional Spanish meal. The primero course typically includes soups, salads, or pasta, and is followed by the segundo (second course) and postre (dessert). The exact dishes vary by region and season, but the structure is common in Spain and many Latin American countries.

Primero is also the name of a historic gambling card game from the Iberian Peninsula and its colonies during the 16th and 17th centuries. Rules and variations existed by region, but the game generally involved players betting on the strength of a hand revealed to all participants. Primarily a betting game, it is noted by scholars as an early form of European card gaming and as a historical predecessor to later gambling games that evolved into more modern forms.

Etymology traces primero to Latin primarius, stemming from primus, meaning "first."