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

Prendergast, 21, will make his full debut after replacing Jack Crowley for the final 20 minutes of last week's narrow win over Argentina.

From BBC

Lewis Hamilton says he will "give it absolutely everything" for his final three races with Mercedes despite feeling like walking away after struggling badly in the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.

From BBC

At a time when the Austro-Hungarian empire was in its final years, Schiele turned to landscape as if to reconstitute a disintegrating world.

From New York Times

Nottinghamshire's women's side will continue to play as The Blaze, who beat South East Stars to win the last Charlotte Edwards Cup final last June.

From BBC

At the Olympics she was in medal contention on the final lap before she was dropped on the climb of Montmartre with 10km to go and rode solo to claim fifth.

From BBC

Related Words

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