last

1 of 6

verb (1)

ˈlast 

lasted; lasting; lasts

intransitive verb

1

: to continue in time

The movie lasted about two hours.

2

a

: to remain fresh or unimpaired : endure

That paint job should last a long time.

b

: to manage to continue (as in a course of action)

She won't last; she'll quit before the week's out.

c

: to continue to live

he will not last very much longer

—James Dennis

transitive verb

1

: to be enough for the needs of

The supplies will last them a week.

2

: to continue in existence or action as long as or longer than

—often used with out

couldn't last out the training program

last

2 of 6

adjective

1

a

: following all the rest

He was the last one out.

b

: being the only remaining

our last dollar

2

: belonging to the final stage (as of life)

her last hours on earth

3

a

: next before the present : most recent

last week

His last book was a failure.

b

: most up-to-date : latest

It's the last thing in fashion.

4

a

: farthest from a specified quality, attitude, or likelihood

would be the last person to fall for flattery

b

: lowest in rank or standing

also : worst

5

a

: distinct, separate

—used as an intensive

ate every last piece of food

b

: conclusive

There is no last answer to the problem.

c

: highest in degree : supreme, ultimate

lastly adverb

last

3 of 6

adverb

1

: after all others : at the end

came last and left first

2

: most lately

saw her last in Rome

3

: in conclusion

Last, let's consider the social aspect.

last

4 of 6

noun (1)

: something that is last

last

5 of 6

noun (2)

: a form (as of metal or plastic) which is shaped like the human foot and over which a shoe is shaped or repaired

Illustration of last

• ⁵last

last

6 of 6

verb (2)

lasted; lasting; lasts

transitive verb

: to shape with a last

Phrases

at last or at long last

: at the end of a period of time : finally

At last you've come home.

Synonyms

Verb (1)

• hold out
• hold up
• keep up
• prevail
• survive

Adjective

• bottommost
• closing
• concluding
• final
• hindmost
• lag
• latest
• latter
• rearmost
• terminal
• terminating
• ultimate

Choose the Right Synonym for last

Verb (1)

continue, last, endure, abide, persist mean to exist over a period of time or indefinitely.

continue applies to a process going on without ending.

the search for peace will continue

last, especially when unqualified, may stress existing beyond what is normal or expected.

buy shoes that will last

endure adds an implication of resisting destructive forces or agencies.

in spite of everything, her faith endured

abide implies stable and constant existing especially as opposed to mutability.

a love that abides through 40 years of marriage

persist suggests outlasting the normal or appointed time and often connotes obstinacy or doggedness.

the sense of guilt persisted

Adjective

last, final, terminal, ultimate mean following all others (as in time, order, or importance).

last applies to something that comes at the end of a series but does not always imply that the series is completed or stopped.

last page of a book

last news we had of him

final applies to that which definitely closes a series, process, or progress.

final day of school

terminal may indicate a limit of extension, growth, or development.

terminal phase of a disease

ultimate implies the last degree or stage of a long process beyond which further progress or change is impossible.

the ultimate collapse of the system

Examples of last in a Sentence

Adjective

He was the last one out of the building.

She succeeded on her last attempt.

These are the last two books in the series.

We are going to the beach for the last week of the summer.

the last cookie in the jar

She said she wouldn't marry him if he was the last man on earth.

He was tragically killed during the last days of the war.

I haven't seen her recently. The last time we met was at a party.

Adverb

He spoke last at the meeting.

My horse was last in the race.

She was first to arrive at the party and last to leave.

I last saw him in the supermarket.

They last went to the beach in June.

This word was last used in the 17th century.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

It was followed by major fires that lasted for several days. —Defne Karabatur, Los Angeles Times, 18 Apr. 2024

Scattered to more widespread showers and thunderstorms are likely after sunrise Thursday, lasting until a cold front pushes through in the early afternoon, according to the weather service’s forecast discussion. —Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 18 Apr. 2024

But the man's participation in the monitoring program, known as Alternatives to Detention, lasted only a little over two weeks, NBC News has learned. —Julia Ainsley, NBC News, 18 Apr. 2024

This one requires a bit more in-depth cleaning than some simpler models due to its various moving parts, but proper care will ensure this lasts many, many seasons. —Kelsey Chapman, ABC News, 17 Apr. 2024

Review: Lots of creams and lotions can add moisture to your skin but this one is truly a wonder in terms of adding moisture that lasts. —Marilyn La Jeunesse, Glamour, 16 Apr. 2024

The battery can last a week in standby time, but there are no apps. —Julian Chokkattu, WIRED, 16 Apr. 2024

Through his steadfast commitment and attention to detail, Norby has had a lasting impact on the sports fans’ experience. —Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2024

Most places along the centerline will see totality lasting between three and a half minutes and four minutes. —Mallory Moench, TIME, 6 Apr. 2024

Adjective

Flip Out, formerly known as Control Freak, got replaced just last year. —Lori Weisberg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Apr. 2024

Maslany was on the SAG-AFTRA picket line in New York City last July when The Hollywood Reporter asked her about Iger’s comments. —Zack Sharf, Variety, 19 Apr. 2024

Health inspectors did not shut down any restaurants last week. —Jacqueline Pinedo, Sacramento Bee, 19 Apr. 2024

Well, we [performed on Miley Cyrus’ New Year’s Eve special] on the new year’s before last. —Katie Bain, Billboard, 19 Apr. 2024

This decision may lead to Johnson's downfall as speaker of the House of Representatives as Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., who was ousted from the position last year, was voted out of his position after a similar reliance on Democrats to pass crucial legislation. —Morgan Fischer, The Arizona Republic, 19 Apr. 2024

Wind follows Sasha Colby, who won last season’s competition. —Carly Thomas, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Apr. 2024

Jost also addressed how Trump suggested that Biden was on cocaine during his State of the Union address last month–the same speech where Biden’s performance was widely seen as refuting right-wing criticisms of the president as lacking stamina. —William Vaillancourt, Rolling Stone, 7 Apr. 2024

In a separate interview Sunday on MSNBC, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg talked about a plan the Army Corps of Engineers released last week to open a 35-foot deep channel to the Port of Baltimore by the end of April. —Katie Mettler, Washington Post, 7 Apr. 2024

Adverb

Robinson was last seen April 1 and was reported missing April 2. —Journal Sentinel, 20 Apr. 2024

Grippo was last seen on Fuller’s Instagram feed on July 31. —Alexis Jones, Peoplemag, 20 Apr. 2024

Robinson was last seen April 1 and reported missing April 2. —Ashley Luthern, USA TODAY, 19 Apr. 2024

The news comes in the middle of the 1975’s European tour, with Swift and Healy last seen together on May 25. —Justin Curto, Vulture, 19 Apr. 2024

The Palestinian Authority last applied for full membership in 2011. —Michele Kelemen, NPR, 18 Apr. 2024

The process eliminated the date stamps that recorded when the originals were created and last modified. —Doug Smith, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2024

The City Girls last released a project in October with RAW which featured stars like Usher, Muni Long, Lil Durk, Juicy J and more. —Michael Saponara, Billboard, 8 Apr. 2024

And to celebrate her big night, Yearwood, who last attended the show in 2019, wore a striking red carpet look. —Michelle Lee, Peoplemag, 8 Apr. 2024

Noun

The typical cold lasts between seven and 10 days.1 Do not worry if your symptoms last longer than that. —Colleen Murphy, Health, 5 Apr. 2024

The Cleveland native’s last released a rap album in 2019 with Hotel Diablo which followed MGK’s lucrative rock pivot. —Michael Saponara, Billboard, 29 Mar. 2024

The 52-year-old last played in the NHL in 2018, but still plays in his home country. —Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 14 Mar. 2024

Related The new spot picks up where Dunkin’ last left off, with aspiring pop star Ben Affleck continuing on his path to music greatness. —Anna Chan, Billboard, 8 Feb. 2024

What to Consider The big 103 last may actually be too roomy and comfy for those with narrow or small-volume feet. —Douglas Schnitzspahn, Travel + Leisure, 21 Dec. 2023

How long a cold lasts depends on the person and the symptoms. —Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 16 Dec. 2023

Most importantly, while the Black Friday sale lasts, the iWoly vacuum is only $80. —Carly Totten, Southern Living, 24 Nov. 2023

But the longer the dynamic lasts, the greater Israel’s conundrum. —Patrick Kingsley, New York Times, 28 Nov. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

Middle English, from Old English lǣstan to last, follow; akin to Old English lāst footprint

Adverb

Middle English, from Old English latost, superlative of læt late

Noun (2)

Middle English, from Old English lǣste, from lāst footprint; akin to Old High German leist shoemaker's last, Latin lira furrow — more at learn

First Known Use

Verb (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Adjective

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adverb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

1603, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing last

• at last
• at long last
• breathe one's last
• come last
• down to the smallest/last/tiniest detail
• every last
• every last one
• Fermat's last theorem
• final/last resting place
• first and last
• have/get the last laugh
• have the last word
• hear the last of it
• hear the last of (something)
• he laughs best that laughs last
• he who laughs last, laughs best
• if it's the last thing someone does
• if it's the last thing someone (ever) does
• in the final/last analysis
• last but not least
• last call
• last ditch
• last/dying breath
• last-gasp
• last-gasp goal
• last hurrah
• last-in first-out
• last laugh
• last mile
• last minute
• last name
• last orders
• last resort
• last rites
• last straw
• last the distance
• last thing
• last thing on someone's mind
• last time
• last word
• next to last
• on one's last legs
• pay one's last respects
• second to last
• see the last of (someone or something)
• the final/last straw
• the last
• the last/final word
• the last minute
• the last moment
• the last post
• the last/previous couple of
• the last rites
• (the) last someone heard
• (the) last someone saw
• the last thing on someone's mind
• to the last man
• trade-last
• weapon of last resort

Kids Definition

last

1 of 6 verb

ˈlast 

1

: to continue in being or operation

lasted three hours

2

: to be enough for the needs of

supplies to last a week

last

2 of 6 noun

: a form which is shaped like the human foot and on which a shoe is shaped or repaired

last

3 of 6 verb

: to shape with a last

last

4 of 6 adjective

1

a

: following all the rest in time, place, or rank

last one out

b

: being the only remaining

last dollar

2

: belonging to the final stage

3

: next before the present : latest

last week

4

: least likely

the last thing we'd want

last

5 of 6 adverb

1

: at the end

ran last

2

: most lately

saw them last at school

3

: in conclusion

and last, I'd like to talk about success

last

6 of 6 noun

: something that is last

Etymology

Verb

Old English læstan "to last, follow"

Noun

Old English lǣste

Adjective

Old English latost "latest," from læt "late" — related to late entry 1