ultimate

American  

[uhl-tuh-mit] / ˈʌl tə mɪt /

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.

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noun

1. the final point; final result.

2. a fundamental fact or principle.

3. the best, greatest, or most extreme of its kind.

ultimate British  

/ 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

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noun

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

Related Words

See last ¹.

Other Word Forms

• subultimate adjective
• ultimately adverb
• ultimateness noun

Etymology

Origin of ultimate

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

Example Sentences

But on a more philosophical level, F1 is meant to be the ultimate challenge - the driver taking their machine and themselves to the limit of what is possible.

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

“I think when you are making a film that is confronting one of the ultimate taboos in cinema, you’re going to have a tough time,” he says.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 31, 2026

Mr. Eastman has challenged the disbarment and “is highly confident of his ultimate vindication,” his attorney said in a statement.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

Desperate to help his sick dog, one Australian man went down the ultimate ChatGPT research hole, using artificial intelligence to design a personalised experimental treatment and finding top scientists to administer it.

From Barron's • Mar. 30, 2026

Wearing pajamas most of the day is the ultimate bonus.

From "On the Come Up" by Angie Thomas

Related Words

• preeminent
• transcendent
• utmost