ultimate

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.

“Ultimate” is pronounced UHL-tih-muht (/ˈʌltɪmət/ in IPA).

Here is “ultimate” used in a sentence: “The ultimate decision rests with the board of directors.”

“Ultimate” is an adjective.

The word “ultimate” comes from Medieval Latin. From Medieval Latin "ultimatus", from Latin "ultimus" meaning "last" or "final".

“Ultimate” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

“Ultimate” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: final; the last in a sequence, beyond which nothing more follows.

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.'

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.

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.'

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.