prémier

Prémier is a French adjective that translates to “first” or “initial” in English. It is used as an ordinal ranking, for example to designate the first item in a series, such as a première place (first place) or a premiers pas (first steps). Grammatically, the spelling varies: premier, première (feminine), premiers (plural masculine) and premières (plural feminine). The accent on the e in prémier is an uncommon variant that occasionally appears in older texts or as a typographical error. The standard spelling without the accent is preferred in contemporary French.

The word originates from the Latin primaerum, a shortened form of primus, “first.” Its English cognate “premier,” often seen in international contexts such as Premier League or Premier Ministre, shares the same roots but is typically pronounced with a long i sound in English. In French, the adjective is pronounced [pʁemaʁ] and adopts the same pronunciation regardless of gender or number. The term is frequently used in titles of leadership or authority, notably premier ministre (prime minister), premier ministre (first minister), or premier président (first president).

In idiomatic usage, premiers pas can describe someone’s first steps in a particular field or the course of a life. In literature and poetry, premiers instants (“first moments”) may emphasize the beginning, inception, or precocity of an event. The term also appears in brand names, company titles, and organizational headings, such as Premier Hotels or Premier Software, to denote excellence or primacy.

Neutral stance: The article refrains from value‑laden judgments and focuses on the linguistic, historical, and contextual aspects of the term while keeping the information concise.