finale

noun

fi·​na·​le fə-ˈna-lē  fi-ˈnä- 

: the close or termination of something: such as

a

: the last section of an instrumental musical composition

the symphony's finale

b

: the closing part, scene, or number in a public performance

the finale of the ballet

In the finale, the singer sang an Italian classic.

c

: the last and often climactic event or item in a sequence

the TV show's season finale

Synonyms of finale

• ending
• conclusion
• end
• culmination

Examples of finale in a Sentence

She sung a very difficult song for the finale.

the finale to the festivities was a grand display of fireworks

Recent Examples on the Web

The season winner and Fan Favorite winner will be announced during the live finale that same day. —Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 14 May 2026

While the Crusaders have a regular-season finale Friday against Eastlake, Wednesday’s win clinched the league title. —Don Norcross, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 May 2026

Now there are mere days left until the May 21 finale (which will air without any competition from his peers), and only uncertainty looms on the other side of Colbert's farewell. —Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 13 May 2026

Future seasons will include a week 1 game, a Thanksgiving Eve match-up, one Christmas Day game, a week 18 regular season finale game and the NFL Honors, giving Netflix live NFL programming throughout the season, albeit without a full game package. —Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 13 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Italian, noun derivative of finale, adjective, "last, final entry 1," going back to Latin fīnālis

First Known Use

1774, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing finale

• grand finale

Rhymes for finale

• alley
• alli
• bally
• calli
• challis
• dally
• galley
• galli
• lally
• mallee
• mally
• rally

Kids Definition

finale

noun

fi·​na·​le fə-ˈnal-ē  fi-ˈnäl- 

: the close or end of something (as a musical work)