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
Verb (1)
we were lucky that the batteries lasted until we could get to the store to buy more
this heavy drought has lasted all summer 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.
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Verb
Trump is set to fly to the UK on Tuesday for a second state visit, which is expected to last three days.—Jarrett Renshaw, USA Today, 14 Sep. 2025 That Arkansas drive lasted 54 seconds and covered 75 yards in 4 plays.—Arkansas Online, 14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
China’s economy showed further signs of weakness last month, with key data Monday revealing factory output and consumption rising at their weakest pace for around a year.—Nino Paoli, Fortune, 15 Sep. 2025 Trump last week raised the prospect of potential additional sanctions against Moscow.—Kevin Shalvey, ABC News, 15 Sep. 2025
Adverb
The allegiance transfer rulings were last changed by the sport’s governing body in 2018, when the minimum three-year waiting period (to compete internationally) was introduced.—Liam Tharme, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025 Their rare outing came 10 months after they were last seen together in public.—Latoya Gayle, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
This is the thing with how long a phone’s battery lasts.—Janhoi McGregor, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025 As for Tyson, the 59-year-old last stepped into the ring in 2024 against Jake Paul, drawing in 65,000,000 viewers on Netflix.—Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 5 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for last
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
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