---
title: "dropFirst(_:)"
framework: swift
role: symbol
role_heading: Instance Method
path: "swift/lazydropwhilesequence/dropfirst(_:)"
---

# dropFirst(_:)

Returns a sequence containing all but the given number of initial elements.

## Declaration

```swift
func dropFirst(_ k: Int = 1) -> DropFirstSequence<Self>
```

## Parameters

- `k`: The number of elements to drop from the beginning of the sequence. k must be greater than or equal to zero.

## Return Value

Return Value A sequence starting after the specified number of elements.

## Discussion

Discussion If the number of elements to drop exceeds the number of elements in the sequence, the result is an empty sequence. let numbers = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5] print(numbers.dropFirst(2)) // Prints "[3, 4, 5]" print(numbers.dropFirst(10)) // Prints "[]" note: O(1), with O(k) deferred to each iteration of the result, where k is the number of elements to drop from the beginning of the sequence.