last
1occurring or coming after all others, as in time, order, or place: the last line on a page.
most recent; next before the present; latest: last week; last Friday.
being the only one remaining: my last dollar; the last outpost; a last chance.
final: in his last hours.
ultimate or conclusive; definitive: the last word in the argument.
lowest in prestige or importance: last prize.
coming after all others in suitability or likelihood; least desirable: He is the last person we'd want to represent us.
individual; single: The lecture won't start until every last person is seated.
Ecclesiastical. (of the sacraments of penance, viaticum, or extreme unction) extreme or final; administered to a person dying or in danger of dying.
after all others; latest: He arrived last at the party.
on the most recent occasion: When last seen, the suspect was wearing a checked suit.
in the end; finally; in conclusion.
a person or thing that is last.
a final appearance or mention: We've seen the last of her. That's the last we'll hear of it.
the end or conclusion: We are going on vacation the last of September.
Idioms about last
at last, after a lengthy pause or delay: He was lost in thought for several minutes, but at last he spoke.
at long last, after much troublesome or frustrating delay: The ship docked at long last.
breathe one's last, to die: He was nearly 90 when he breathed his last.
Origin of last
1synonym study For last
Words that may be confused with last
- last , penultimate, ultimate
Other definitions for last (2 of 4)
to go on or continue in time: The festival lasted three weeks.
to continue unexpended or unexhausted; be enough: We'll enjoy ourselves while our money lasts.
to continue in force, vigor, effectiveness, etc.: to last for the whole course.
to continue or remain in usable condition for a reasonable period of time: They were handsome shoes but they didn't last.
to continue to survive for the duration of (often followed by out): They lasted the war in Switzerland.
Origin of last
2synonym study For last
Other definitions for last (3 of 4)
a wooden or metal form in the shape of the human foot on which boots or shoes are shaped or repaired.
the shape or form of a shoe.
to shape on or fit to a last.
Origin of last
3Other words from last
- laster, noun
Other definitions for last (4 of 4)
any of various large units of weight or capacity, varying in amount in different localities and for different commodities, often equivalent to 4,000 pounds (1,814.37 kilograms).
Origin of last
4Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use last in a sentence
The tradition has lasted ever since, being seen as a great natural hangover remedy throughout the world.
A Gaylard Williams Sunday sermon (which lasted for 45 minutes on average) was something to behold.
Exposed: The Gay-Bashing Pastor’s Same-Sex Assault | M.L. Nestel | December 21, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTSwelling, pus, the whole shebang; an angry reaction that lasted weeks.
The academic, historic, and geopolitical nonsense that Khomeinism equals Iran has lasted long enough.
The Nuclear Deal That Iran’s Regime Fears Most | Djavad Khadem | November 22, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThere is a reason these sites have lasted as long as they have.
To-day I'm more dead than alive, as we had a lesson from him yesterday that lasted four hours.
Music-Study in Germany | Amy FayThe fight lasted two days, and only two men out of the five hundred escaped with their lives.
While this reaction lasted he laughed away the evidence, and honestly believed he was exaggerating trifles.
The Wave | Algernon BlackwoodThis apparition lasted some eight minutes, and as soon as it disappeared another came of the same form, direction and appearance.
They wanted Papa and Mamma, gone to Bombay beyond the seas, and their grief while it lasted was without remedy.
Kipling Stories and Poems Every Child Should Know, Book II | Rudyard Kipling
British Dictionary definitions for last (1 of 4)
/ (lɑːst) /
being, happening, or coming at the end or after all others: the last horse in the race
being or occurring just before the present; most recent: last Thursday
last but not least coming last in order but nevertheless important
last but one next to last
only remaining: one's last cigarette
most extreme; utmost
least suitable, appropriate, or likely: he was the last person I would have chosen
(esp relating to the end of a person's life or of the world)
final or ultimate: last rites
(capital): the Last Judgment
(postpositive) Liverpool dialect inferior, unpleasant, or contemptible: this ale is last
after all others; at or in the end: he came last
most recently: he was last seen in the mountains
(in combination): last-mentioned
(sentence modifier) as the last or latest item
the last
a person or thing that is last
the final moment; end
one's last moments before death
the last thing a person can do (esp in the phrase breathe one's last)
the final appearance, mention, or occurrence: we've seen the last of him
at last in the end; finally
at long last finally, after difficulty, delay, or irritation
Origin of last
1usage For last
British Dictionary definitions for last (2 of 4)
/ (lɑːst) /
(when intr, often foll by for) to remain in being (for a length of time); continue: his hatred lasted for several years
to be sufficient for the needs of (a person) for (a length of time): it will last us until Friday
(when intr, often foll by for) to remain fresh, uninjured, or unaltered (for a certain time or duration): he lasted for three hours underground
Origin of last
2- See also last out
Derived forms of last
- laster, noun
British Dictionary definitions for last (3 of 4)
/ (lɑːst) /
the wooden or metal form on which a shoe or boot is fashioned or repaired
(tr) to fit (a shoe or boot) on a last
Origin of last
3Derived forms of last
- laster, noun
British Dictionary definitions for last (4 of 4)
/ (lɑːst) /
a unit of weight or capacity having various values in different places and for different commodities. Commonly used values are 2 tons, 2000 pounds, 80 bushels, or 640 gallons
Origin of last
4Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with last
In addition to the idioms beginning with last
- last analysis
- last but not least
- last fling
- last gasp
- last laugh, have the
- last resort
- last straw, the
- last word, the
also see:
- at last
- at the last minute
- breathe one's last
- each and every (last one)
- famous last words
- first and last
- head for (the last roundup)
- in the final (last) analysis
- on one's last legs
- see the last of
- stick to one's last
- to the last
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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