first times
Maiden voyage moments
First times refers to initial experiences of any kind, carrying connotations of novelty, uncertainty, and memorability.
The phrase often appears in contexts emphasizing that repeated exposure brings familiarity or improvement: First times are always awkward.
It frequently refers to sexual debut but applies equally to any inaugural experience—first times driving, first times voting, first times failing.
The singular first time is far more common, but the plural acknowledges that life contains many categories of firsts.
State of awaiting something
- nervousnessState of anxious unease
- excitementState of eager enthusiasm
- butterfliesFluttering insects or nervousness
- trepidationFearful uncertainty
jitters · anxiety · thrill · apprehension · eagerness · unease · hesitation · cold feet
Lack of prior knowledge
- newnessState of being recent
- freshnessState of being unspoiled
- beginnerOne who lacks experience
- learning curveRate of skill acquisition
trial and error · experimentation · discovery · wonder · curiosity · virgin territory · uncharted · untried
First public appearance
- graduationCompleting academic requirements formally
- coming-of-ageYouth becoming adulthood
- rite of passageTransition-marking ceremony
- inaugurationFormal beginning ceremony
initiation · breakthrough · learner's permit · prom · baptism · bar mitzvah · quinceañera · confirmation
Longing for the past
- reminiscenceRecalling past experiences
- flashbackInvoluntary past memory
- childhoodLife's earliest phase
- innocenceFreedom from wrongdoing
recollection · keepsake · memento · photograph · scrapbook · milestone birthday · reunion · yearbook
Gaining knowledge gradually
- practiceRepeated work toward mastery
- improvementPositive change in quality
- progressionSequential forward movement
- fumblingClumsy, uncoordinated handling
mistakes · perseverance · courage · stepping stone · foundation · turning point · transformation · self-discovery
anticipation
State of awaiting something
- nervousnessState of anxious unease
- excitementState of eager enthusiasm
- butterfliesFluttering insects or nervousness
trepidation · jitters · anxiety · thrill · apprehension · eagerness · unease · hesitation · cold feet · giddiness
unfamiliarity
Lack of prior knowledge
learning curve · trial and error · experimentation · discovery · wonder · curiosity · virgin territory · uncharted · untried · untested
debut
First public appearance
- graduationCompleting academic requirements formally
- coming-of-ageYouth becoming adulthood
- rite of passageTransition-marking ceremony
inauguration · initiation · breakthrough · learner's permit · prom · baptism · bar mitzvah · quinceañera · confirmation · wedding night
nostalgia
Longing for the past
- reminiscenceRecalling past experiences
- flashbackInvoluntary past memory
- childhoodLife's earliest phase
innocence · recollection · keepsake · memento · photograph · scrapbook · milestone birthday · reunion · yearbook · diary entry
learning
Gaining knowledge gradually
- practiceRepeated work toward mastery
- improvementPositive change in quality
- progressionSequential forward movement
fumbling · mistakes · perseverance · courage · stepping stone · foundation · turning point · transformation · self-discovery · confidence building
- childlike innocenceinnocence, wonder, curiosity, playfulness, imagination
first timesroutines
Established sequences of actions
habits · repetitions · rituals · traditions · customs
first timesend times
Prophesied apocalyptic conclusion
endings · conclusions · swan songs · finales · closings
first timessecond nature
Deeply ingrained tendency
muscle memory · old news · old hat · déjà vu · autopilot
first, time, times, firsts, firstly, timed, timing, timer, timers