penultimate

[pi-nuhl-tuh-mit]

adjective

1. next to the last.

   the penultimate scene of the play.

2. of or relating to a penult or the next to the last syllable in a word.

   In the word appropriate, -pri- is the penultimate syllable.

noun

1. a penult.

penultimate

/ pɪˈnʌltɪmɪt /

adjective

1. next to the last

noun

1. anything that is next to the last, esp a penult

Word History and Origins

Origin of penultimate¹

First recorded in 1670–80; penult, ultimate

Word History and Origins

Origin of penultimate¹

C17: from Latin paene almost + _ultimate , on the model of Latin paenultimus

Example Sentences

English golfer Marco Penge says he is "in disbelief" as he prepares to tee off the DP World Tour's penultimate tournament with a chance of winning the Race to Dubai.

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On the penultimate attempt, his sister said his request not to be discharged from Basildon Hospital was met with a lack of sympathy.

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Vadim Kruglov, the 37-year-old man who created the art installation, was found deceased in a “pool of blood” on the night of August 30—the penultimate night of this year’s festival.

Read more on Salon

The first chapter introduces Willie Clark, a tuba player whose career took him all over the world; Clark’s story wraps up in the penultimate chapter.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

His penultimate Test in Lahore in March 1959 marked the debut of another of his brothers Mushtaq Mohammed who would go on to play 57 Tests and captain Pakistan.

Read more on Barron's