ending
EHN-dihng
Ending (noun) means the final part of a story, event, or period of time. Example: “The film has a surprising ending.”
noun
1
The final part of a story, event, or period of time.
"The film has a surprising ending."
"They wanted a happy ending to a difficult year."
"I didn't like the ending of the book, so I read it again."
2
A letter or group of letters added to the end of a word to change its grammatical form, such as "-s" or "-ed".
"English plural nouns usually take an "-s" ending."
"Add the ending "-ed" to most regular verbs to make the past tense."
"The teacher circled the wrong ending on the word in my sentence."
How to use ending
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe last part of something, or (in grammar) a suffix attached to a word.
Common pairings
happy ending
plot ending
word ending
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Word forms
- Plural
- endings
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The film has a surprising _____.
Etymology
From Old English endung, formed from end plus -ing.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for ending
sending
bending
lending
pending
mending
spending
unending
blending
trending
defending
ascending
attending
See all rhymes for ending →
Frequently asked questions
What does “ending” mean?
The word “ending” means the final part of a story, event, or period of time. In plain terms, the last part of something, or (in grammar) a suffix attached to a word.
How do you pronounce “ending”?
“Ending” is pronounced EHN-dihng (/ˈɛndɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “ending” in a sentence?
Here is “ending” used in a sentence: “The film has a surprising ending.”
What is another word for “ending”?
Words with a similar meaning to “ending” include termination and suffix.
What part of speech is “ending”?
“Ending” is a noun.
Where does the word “ending” come from?
The word “ending” comes from Old English. From Old English endung, formed from end plus -ing.
Is “ending” a common word?
“Ending” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “ending” have?
“Ending” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the final part of a story, event, or period of time.
What is the difference between an ending and a conclusion?
An ending is simply the final part of a story, event, or period — where it stops. A conclusion carries an added sense of resolution or reasoning: things are wrapped up, or a judgment is reached. Stories have endings; essays and arguments have conclusions. An ending can be abrupt, but a conclusion implies closure.
What are the different types of story endings?
Storytellers use several kinds of endings. A happy ending resolves things well; a tragic ending closes on loss. A twist ending surprises the audience, while a cliffhanger leaves the outcome open. Ambiguous endings invite interpretation, and a resolved or "closed" ending ties up every loose thread. The choice shapes how a story feels.
What is the opposite of an ending?
The clearest opposite is the beginning — the point where a story or event starts rather than stops. Depending on context, "start," "opening," or "introduction" work too. A book's ending mirrors its opening chapter; a period's end contrasts with its beginning. The two mark the boundaries of anything that unfolds over time.
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