final

[ fahyn-l ]

adjective

1. pertaining to or coming at the end; last in place, order, or time:

   the final meeting of the year.

   Antonyms: first, initial

2. ultimate:

   The final goal is world peace.

3. conclusive or decisive:

   a final decision.

   Synonyms: unalterable, irreversible, irrevocable, definite

4. constituting the end or purpose:

   a final result.

5. pertaining to or expressing the end or purpose:

   a final clause.

6. Law.
   1. precluding further controversy on the questions passed upon:

      The judicial determination of the Supreme Court is final.

   2. determining all issues presented, so that no further decision upon the merits of the issues is necessary:

      a final judgment or decree.

7. Phonetics. occurring at the end of a word or syllable, as the (t) sound in bit or bite.

noun

1. that which is last; that which forms an end or termination.
2. Often finals.
   1. the last and decisive game, match, contest, or round in a series, as in sports.
   2. the last, usually comprehensive, examination in a course of study.
3. the last edition of a newspaper published on any day.
4. Music. the tonic note of a church mode.

final

/ ˈfaɪnəl /

adjective

1. of or occurring at the end; concluding; ultimate; last
2. having no possibility for further discussion, action, or change; conclusive; decisive

   a final decree of judgment

3. relating to or constituting an end or purpose

   a final clause may be introduced by ``in order to''

4. phonetics at the end of a word Compare medial initial

   ``cat'' has a final ``t''

5. music another word for perfect

noun

1. a terminal or last thing; end
2. a deciding contest between the winners of previous rounds in a competition
3. music the tonic note of a church mode

Other Words From

• pseudo·final adjective
• pseudo·final·ly adverb
• quasi-final adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of final¹

First recorded in 1300–50; 1915–20 final fordef 10; Middle English, from Latin fīnālis, equivalent to fīn(is) “end” + -ālis adjective suffix; -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of final¹

C14: from Latin fīnālis , from fīnis limit, boundary

Idioms and Phrases

see in the final analysis .

Synonym Study

See last ¹.

Example Sentences

Politico reported on Tuesday that he may be tapped for the Office of Management and Budget, the job he held in the previous Trump administration in the final years.

From Salon

Some clubs, including Nottingham Forest and Brighton - who are fifth and sixth in the table respectively - only have six matches in the final month of 2024.

From BBC

It’s happening, with a trip to the Southern Section Division I final on the line.

From Los Angeles Times

Yuan was racially abused alongside a female colleague outside Wembley Stadium by Real Madrid supporters after the Champions League final in June.

From BBC

The Belgian, 33, has started just 19 out of a possible 49 Premier League games since he was injured in the Champions League final victory over Inter Milan in 2023.

From BBC

Related Words

• closing
• concluding
• eventual
• last-minute
• ultimate