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

The program has not made a final selection on which upgrades will actually be included in future versions of the F-35.

From The Daily Beast

It used to carry livestock but sailed its final voyage with a hold full of Syrian men, women, and children.

From The Daily Beast

I had the opportunity to appear on the popular Sons of Anarchy series in their final season.

From The Daily Beast

This final episode of Extras is the perfect Christmastime escape for those who prefer the bittersweet to the saccharine.

From The Daily Beast

The Newsroom aired its final episode on Sunday, already an eternity ago in news-cycle terms.

From The Daily Beast

No one ever argued with Levison; all understood that this particular phrase was final.

From Project Gutenberg

Yet, so curiously constituted is the native mind, the blowing-up of the magazine was the final tocsin of revolt.

From Project Gutenberg

From this one source of misery, where was a promise or a chance of a final rescue?

From Project Gutenberg

This is, of course, possible, but it cannot be more than speculation; the final Dunciad does show evidence of hasty revision.

From Project Gutenberg

With both Tom and me it was friendship at first sight, and nothing until the final severance came ever disturbed its course.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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