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.

Origin of penultimate

1
First recorded in 1670–80; see origin at penult, ultimate

Words that may be confused with penultimate

Words Nearby penultimate

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How to use penultimate in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for penultimate

penultimate

/ (pɪˈnʌltɪmɪt) /


adjective
  1. next to the last

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

Origin of penultimate

1
C17: from Latin paene almost + ultimate, on the model of Latin paenultimus

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