'foremost' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'formest,' where 'fore-' meant 'before' and '-mest' was a superlative suffix.

'formest' changed from Old English to Middle English as 'formest' and eventually became the modern English word 'foremost'.

Initially, it meant 'first in time or order,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'most prominent or important'.