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• last minute
  last minute

  noun

  the time just preceding a deadline or when some decisive action must be taken.
• last-minute
  last-minute

  noun

  (modifier) given or done at the latest possible time

last minute

American  

[min-it] / ˈmɪn ɪt /

noun

• last minutes
  plural

1. the time just preceding a deadline or when some decisive action must be taken.

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last-minute British  

noun

1. (modifier) given or done at the latest possible time

   last-minute preparations

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• last-minute
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• last minutes
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of last minute

First recorded in 1915–20

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

last minute last-minute

When someone is coming over at the last minute, I make: emergency blue-cheese dip.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 18, 2026

In August, Stewart had to abruptly cancel a Cincinnati show at the last minute for a “minor medical procedure.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 28, 2026

Carroll, now a player/co-owner of non-league club Dagenham & Redbridge, says he decided to include the incident in his book "at the very last minute" after discussing it with his girlfriend Lou Teasdale.

From BBC ● Sep. 24, 2026

“I’ve been involved in many tight races in the past and understand last minute ‘needs’ come up,” he continued.

From Salon ● Sep. 23, 2026

Cook was going to show Ophie how to wash the sheets, but she’d been busy setting up a menu for a dinner party Richard had decided to hold at the last minute.

From "Ophie's Ghosts" by Justina Ireland

Pablo Mejia, 42, escaped with injuries to his head, telling AFP that a last-minute change of seat saved his life.

From Barron's ● Oct. 29, 2026

The Times has answers to last-minute questions about the voting process.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 28, 2026

And, of course, buying too late is never a great idea, as those tickets are usually priced for passengers who need a last-minute ticket and are willing to pay more.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 28, 2026

Not far from Israel’s seat of government, the Knesset, in Jerusalem, last-minute canvassing was prominent.

From Slate ● Oct. 28, 2026

Part of her was wondering whether she should make a last-minute bathroom run, because there was no telling whether the Underworld had public restrooms.

From "Aru Shah and the End of Time" by Roshani Chokshi

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