finally

American  

[fahyn-l-ee] / ˈfaɪn l i /

adverb

1. at the final point or moment; in the end.

2. in a final manner; conclusively or decisively.

3. at last; eventually; after considerable delay.

   After three tries, he finally passed his driving test.

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finally British  

/ ˈfaɪnəlɪ /

adverb

1. after a long delay; at last; eventually

2. at the end or final point; lastly

3. completely; conclusively; irrevocably

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1. in the end; lastly

   finally, he put his tie on

2. as the last or final point: linking what follows with the previous statements, as in a speech or argument

Etymology

Origin of finally

First recorded in 1325–75; final + -ly

Example Sentences

Mr Williams, who by then had worked up to become shift charge engineer, was in the central control room when the off button was finally pressed.

From BBC

Mrs Brown said she was "honoured and humbled" to be made an OBE, adding she had finally "been heard by the system".

From BBC

Last December, on the doorstep of its bowl game, USC appeared to finally have its defense headed in the right direction.

From Los Angeles Times

Plus, with the median age of the first-time buyer hitting an all-time high of 40, the prospect of homeowners being 90 years old when they finally pay off their mortgage was troubling to many.

From MarketWatch

We have a teeny little garden I’m working on finally, after 15 years, actually doing something with it.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• already
• belatedly
• eventually
• someday
• sooner or later
• subsequently
• ultimately