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.

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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

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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.

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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; see origin at -al ¹

Explanation

Use the word final when something is over and done with. If you pester your parents too much, they may say, "You aren't going out and that's final!" End of discussion. What is the last thing you do at school? You take final exams. Before leaving for a trip? You do a final check of your suitcase to make sure you have everything you need. Then you know you're finished packing. Both final and finish come from the Latin word finis, meaning "end." Now you know why some European movies show fin instead of the end before the credits roll.

Example Sentences

When it came to man-of-the-match candidates in the League Two play-off final between Notts County and Salford City, there was only one winner for Gillingham boss Gareth Ainsworth and Bromley counterpart Andy Woodman.

From BBC • May 25, 2026

The story he tells, especially in its grim final chapter, should be required reading for leaders of modern nations.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 25, 2026

During cytokinesis failure, the cell completes nearly the entire division process but fails at the final step where it physically splits into two separate cells.

From Science Daily • May 25, 2026

Think of this as the final flourish before the curtain drops.

From Salon • May 25, 2026

Elisha turned in his final manuscript just as the summer of 1856 ended, dramatically insisting, “The book … has been my coffin.”

From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock

Related Words

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