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

finals plural

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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Synonym Usage

See last ¹.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• pseudofinal
  adjective
• quasi-final
  adjective
• pseudofinally
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• finals
  plural

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

He was issued with a final warning by probation in March 2021 for failing to disclose an emerging relationship with a woman he met online.

From BBC • Jul. 10, 2026

He'd been at this year's final in Istanbul with a group of close friends, many from his childhood who share his love for Aston Villa – Ben Dawes, Thomas van Straubenzee and Edward van Cutsem.

From BBC • Jul. 10, 2026

As part of the agreement, Emirates Telecommunications, or e&, will still receive Vodafone’s final dividend payout that is scheduled for payment on July 30.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 10, 2026

And the way he’s going, he won’t be until his team is in the final.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 9, 2026

“Or maybe we should figure out as much as we can now, so all the final pieces will fall into place at the conference,” Katherine retorted.

From "Found" by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Related Words

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