Arrange the following words in alphabetical (dictionary) order and identify which word comes first:
$$\text{baffles, baleful, baggage, ballad}$$

To arrange the words in alphabetical order, compare them letter by letter:
1. All words start with '$\text{ba}$ '.
2. Compare the third letter:
* baffles: '$\text{f}$ '
* baleful: '$\text{l}$ '
* baggage: '$\text{g}$ '
* ballad: '$\text{l}$ '

Since '$\text{f}$ ' comes before '$\text{g}$ ' and '$\text{l}$ ' in the English alphabet, the word 'baffles' will come first in the dictionary order.
The complete order is: baffles $\to$ baggage $\to$ baleful $\to$ ballad.