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

Cristiano Ronaldo will be able to play for Portugal in their opening game at next summer's World Cup finals despite his red card against the Republic of Ireland.

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When two teams are paired, they are placed in opposite halves of the knockout bracket and cannot meet each other until the final.

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But the MoJ said no final decision had been taken by the government.

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European leaders sought to put some meat on the bones of pledges to boost ties with Africa on Tuesday as an Angola summit with their African counterparts entered its final stage.

Read more on Barron's

For all the fears about an AI bubble, the Fed is still very much driving the U.S. stock market ahead of its final rate decision of the year next month.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

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