ultimate

[ uhl-tuh-mit ]

adjective

1. last; furthest or farthest; ending a process or series:

   the ultimate point in a journey; the ultimate style in hats.

   Synonyms: uttermost, extreme

2. maximum; decisive; conclusive:

   the ultimate authority; the ultimate weapon.

   Synonyms: supreme

3. highest; not subsidiary:

   ultimate goal in life.

4. basic; fundamental; representing a limit beyond which further progress, as in investigation or analysis, is impossible:

   the ultimate particle; ultimate principles.

5. final; total:

   the ultimate consequences; the ultimate cost of a project.

   Antonyms: first

6. not to be improved upon or surpassed; greatest; unsurpassed:

   the ultimate vacation spot; the ultimate stupidity.

noun

1. the final point; final result.
2. a fundamental fact or principle.
3. the best, greatest, or most extreme of its kind.

ultimate

/ ˈʌltɪmɪt /

adjective

1. conclusive in a series or process; last; final

   an ultimate question

2. the highest or most significant

   the ultimate goal

3. elemental, fundamental, basic, or essential
4. most extreme

   genocide is the ultimate abuse of human rights

5. final or total

   an ultimate cost of twenty million pounds

noun

1. the most significant, highest, furthest, or greatest thing

Derived Forms

• ˈultimateness, noun

Other Words From

• ulti·mate·ly adverb
• ulti·mate·ness noun
• sub·ulti·mate adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ultimate¹

First recorded in 1645–55; from Late Latin ultimātus (past participle of ultimāre “to come to an end”), equivalent to Latin ultim(us) “last, most distant” + -ātus past participle suffix; ultima, -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of ultimate¹

C17: from Late Latin ultimāre to come to an end, from Latin ultimus last, from ulter distant

Synonym Study

See last ¹.

Example Sentences

The idea is similar to editing a Wikipedia entry, though digital gardens are not meant to be the ultimate word on a topic.

From MIT Technology Review

In some ways, the coronavirus has been the ultimate stress test for whether or not Bud Light’s investments in gaming over the last five years have been worth it.

From Digiday

The remaining amount will be split between applicants, so the ultimate payout will depend on how many people apply.

From Fortune

The ultimate goal for Neuralink, Musk explained at a 2019 launch event, is a “full brain-machine interface” that will achieve a “symbiosis with artificial intelligence.”

From Vox

Most publishers would certainly agree with Apple’s ultimate end-goal of improving user privacy and the overall user experience.

From Digiday

“After the New York mentality, it is the ultimate contrast to see people making things by hand,” he said.

From The Daily Beast

The loss of this “expectation” game began his decline and ultimate withdrawal from the race.

From The Daily Beast

Self-marriage is the ultimate brand extension of a self-obsessed, selfish populus.

From The Daily Beast

“If BMW is ‘the ultimate driving machine,’ your Anthem is the ultimate differentiator,” writes Hogshead.

From The Daily Beast

With her help, we've gathered the ultimate list of the country's greatest influential bars.

From The Daily Beast

Belief in his own value had never been thus assailed before; that he was indispensable had been an ultimate assurance.

From Project Gutenberg

His only chance of ultimate recovery was to push boldly forward, and to betray no fear of failure.

From Project Gutenberg

Its ultimate effect will not fall upon them, but will serve merely to alter the direction of human effort.

From Project Gutenberg

She smiled, just as if she had been asked to inspect a tiara of diamonds with the ultimate view of purchasing it.

From Project Gutenberg

In reply, I would ask, Of what disease do we know the ultimate nature any better than that of epilepsy?

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• preeminent
• transcendent
• utmost