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

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.

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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.

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Swimming in the penultimate heat of the timed final he clocked 3:38.25, which held up for third place in a race won by American Carson Foster in 3:37.80.

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Ivory Coast and Gabon have dominated the six-nation Group F with one point dividing them going into their penultimate matches on Friday.

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The penultimate episode included the handwritten letters from the book that Conrad begins sending Belly during their time apart, leading to their eventual romantic reconnection.

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