ultimate
UHL-tih-muht
Ultimate (adj) means Final; the last in a sequence, beyond which nothing more follows. Example: “The ultimate decision rests with the board of directors.”
adj
1
Final; the last in a sequence, beyond which nothing more follows.
"The ultimate decision rests with the board of directors."
"Losing the championship was the ultimate disappointment of his career."
"Our ultimate destination is the coast, but we will stop twice on the way."
2
The greatest or most extreme of its kind; the best possible.
"For many fans, this album is the ultimate expression of the band's sound."
"For a chocolate lover, this cake is the ultimate treat."
"Climbing the mountain was the ultimate test of her strength."
How to use ultimate
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe final one, or the best/most extreme version of something.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
the ultimate goal
ultimate responsibility
ultimate frisbee
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- ultimates
- Past tense
- ultimated
- Comparative
- more ultimate
- Superlative
- most ultimate
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The _____ decision rests with the board of directors.
Etymology
From Medieval Latin "ultimatus", from Latin "ultimus" meaning "last" or "final".
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for ultimate
See all rhymes for ultimate →Frequently asked questions
What does “ultimate” mean?
The word “ultimate” means final; the last in a sequence, beyond which nothing more follows. In plain terms, the final one, or the best/most extreme version of something.
How do you pronounce “ultimate”?
“Ultimate” is pronounced UHL-tih-muht (/ˈʌltɪmət/ in IPA).
How do you use “ultimate” in a sentence?
Here is “ultimate” used in a sentence: “The ultimate decision rests with the board of directors.”
What part of speech is “ultimate”?
“Ultimate” is an adjective.
Where does the word “ultimate” come from?
The word “ultimate” comes from Medieval Latin. From Medieval Latin "ultimatus", from Latin "ultimus" meaning "last" or "final".
Is “ultimate” a common word?
“Ultimate” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “ultimate” have?
“Ultimate” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: final; the last in a sequence, beyond which nothing more follows.
What is the difference between ultimate and penultimate?
Ultimate means the last or final in a sequence, while penultimate means the second to last, the one immediately before the final. So in a list of chapters, the ultimate chapter is the very last, and the penultimate is the one just before it. People often confuse penultimate with 'the very last.'
Does ultimate mean best or final?
Both, depending on context. Its core meaning is 'final' or 'last in a sequence,' as in the ultimate outcome. In everyday speech it also means the best, greatest, or most extreme example, as in 'the ultimate adventure.' The sense of 'best' grew from the idea of something being the furthest possible point.
What is the opposite of ultimate?
When ultimate means final, its opposite is 'initial' or 'first.' When it means the best or greatest, opposites include 'ordinary,' 'basic,' or 'inferior.' Context decides which sense applies, since the word carries both a sequential meaning of 'last' and an evaluative meaning of 'supreme.'
What is an example of ultimate?
You might say 'winning the championship was the ultimate goal,' meaning the final and greatest aim. In its sequential sense, 'the ultimate stage of the plan' refers to the last step. The word works whenever you want to stress that nothing comes after, or that nothing surpasses it.
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