final

American  

[fahyn-l] / ˈfaɪn 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 British  

/ 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

final Idioms  

1. see in the final analysis.

---

Related Words

See last ¹.

Other Word Forms

• pseudofinal adjective
• pseudofinally adverb
• quasi-final adjective

Etymology

Origin of final

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

Example Sentences

The bookmakers predict a similarly leisurely final quarter for Wigglesworth and his team on Saturday, though.

From BBC

After two years in Germany, where in the first year we won nearly everything... unbeaten in the Bundesliga, won the cup, lost the final of Europa League, which was very painful.

From BBC

He called playing alongside Matsuyama in the final group on Saturday a "dream".

From Barron's

The Pistons, coming off an embarrassing loss to the lowly Washington Wizards on Thursday, took control in the first quarter and never trailed over the final three periods.

From Barron's

But in his final moments, as Scarlet watches, Amleth pleads a request she cannot hear.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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