final
FYNL
Final (adj) means coming at the end; last. Example: “This is the final chapter of the book.”
adj
1
Coming at the end; last.
"This is the final chapter of the book."
"They made their final decision after weeks of debate."
"Please hand in your final draft before the end of the day."
noun
1
The last, deciding match or round of a competition.
"The two best teams met in the final."
"Our local club reached the final for the first time in years."
"Thousands of fans queued outside the stadium to watch the final."
2
An examination given at the end of a course or term.
"She stayed up late studying for her finals."
"My history final is on Monday, so I cannot go out tonight."
"He felt calm during the final because he had revised carefully."
How to use final
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe last one, or the deciding one — whether it's a decision, a match, or an exam.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
final exam
the final round
final decision
reach the final
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Word forms
- Plural
- finals
- Third person singular
- finals
- Past tense
- finaled, finalled
- Comparative
- more final
- Superlative
- most final
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
This is the _____ chapter of the book.
Etymology
From Old French final, ultimately from Latin finis, meaning "end."
Synonyms
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closing
concluding
terminal
ending
eventual
extreme
conclusive
decisive
definitive
endsome
hindermost
hindmost
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for final
See all rhymes for final →Frequently asked questions
What does “final” mean?
The word “final” means coming at the end; last. In plain terms, the last one, or the deciding one — whether it's a decision, a match, or an exam.
How do you pronounce “final”?
“Final” is pronounced FYNL (/ˈfaɪn(ə)l/ in IPA).
How do you use “final” in a sentence?
Here is “final” used in a sentence: “This is the final chapter of the book.”
What is another word for “final”?
Words with a similar meaning to “final” include extreme, conclusive, decisive, definitive, endsome and hindermost.
What is the opposite of “final”?
The opposite of “final” — its antonyms — are initial, early, first and original.
What part of speech is “final”?
Depending on how it is used, “final” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “final” come from?
The word “final” comes from Latin. From Old French final, ultimately from Latin finis, meaning "end.".
Is “final” a common word?
“Final” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between final and last?
The two often overlap, but 'last' simply means at the end of a sequence or most recent — the last in line, last week. 'Final' adds a sense of conclusiveness: nothing more will follow and the matter is settled, as in a final decision. Every final item is last, but not every last thing is truly final.
What is the opposite of final?
For final meaning 'last,' the opposite is first or initial. For final meaning 'settled and unchangeable,' the opposite is provisional, temporary, or open to appeal. So a 'first draft' contrasts with a final one, while a 'provisional decision' contrasts with a final ruling.
Can a final decision be changed?
Calling a decision final signals that it is meant to be conclusive and not open to further debate. In practice, many 'final' decisions can still be appealed, overturned, or reconsidered if important new facts appear. The word expresses firm intent rather than an absolute guarantee that nothing will ever change.
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