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adv B2 Upper-Intermediate Common

ultimately

UHL-tih-miht-lih

Ultimately (adv) means In the end; after everything else has been considered or has happened. Example: “Ultimately, it was her decision to make.”

adv
1
In the end; after everything else has been considered or has happened.
"Ultimately, it was her decision to make."
"The talks dragged on for weeks but ultimately ended in agreement."

How to use ultimately

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishWhen everything is said and done; finally.

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_____, it was her decision to make.

Etymology

Formed from "ultimate" plus the adverb-forming suffix "-ly".

eventually finally in the end at last in the long run fundamentally at long last

Related words

Rhymes for ultimately

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Frequently asked questions

What does “ultimately” mean?

The word “ultimately” means in the end; after everything else has been considered or has happened. In plain terms, when everything is said and done; finally.

How do you pronounce “ultimately”?

“Ultimately” is pronounced UHL-tih-miht-lih (/ˈʌl.tɪ.mɪt.li/ in IPA).

How do you use “ultimately” in a sentence?

Here is “ultimately” used in a sentence: “Ultimately, it was her decision to make.”

What part of speech is “ultimately”?

“Ultimately” is an adverb.

Is “ultimately” a common word?

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

What is the difference between ultimately and eventually?

Eventually means after some time or delay, focusing on when something finally happens. Ultimately means in the end or at the deepest level, focusing on the final result once everything is weighed up. 'They eventually agreed' stresses the wait; 'ultimately it was her choice' stresses the underlying outcome.

What is an example of ultimately in a sentence?

You might write, 'We tried several suppliers, but ultimately chose the cheapest,' meaning that was the final outcome. Other examples include 'The decision ultimately rests with the board' and 'Ultimately, the plan failed.' It signals the end result after other steps or considerations.

Does ultimately mean the same as finally?

They overlap but differ in emphasis. Finally often marks the last item in a sequence or relief after a wait. Ultimately points to the fundamental or final result after everything is considered. 'Finally, we ate' notes the last event; 'ultimately, it was worth it' judges the overall outcome.

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