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 Word Forms

• pseudofinal adjective
• pseudofinally adverb
• quasi-final adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of final¹

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

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

Over his final 47 games of the regular season, he batted .317 and nearly doubled his home run total, jumping from 11 on Aug. 4 to 20 by the end of the term.

From Los Angeles Times

The Eagles beat the Rams by blocking two field-goal attempts in the fourth quarter, including a potential winning kick that they returned for a touchdown on the final play.

From Los Angeles Times

He did, however, lead the club to their first trophy in 17 years as they beat Manchester United in the Europa League final.

From BBC

Charles Row KC, prosecuting, told the court on Friday he would have "died or was dying" in Gunter's arms during the final incident.

From BBC

A final report, to be published in the first quarter of next year, will investigate the root causes of the overvoltage and the actions employed to control voltage in the system.

From BBC

Related Words

• closing 
• concluding www.thesaurus.com
• eventual 
• last-minute 
• ultimate