final

adjective fi·nal \ ˈfī-nᵊl \

Updated on: 23 May 2018

Definition of final

1 a : not to be altered or undone

all sales are final

b : of or relating to a concluding court action or proceeding

final decree

2 : coming at the end : being the last in a series, process, or progress

the final chapter

final exams

3 : of or relating to the ultimate purpose or result of a process

our final goal

the final product

—

finally

play \ˈfī-nᵊl-ē, ˈfīn-lē\ adverb

See final defined for English-language learners

See final defined for kids

Examples of final in a Sentence

the final act of the play
They won their final four games.
in the final minutes of the game
Our last stop was Bangkok, but our final destination is Tokyo.
The plans are undergoing final review.
What was the final score?
The final product was not what we had expected.

Recent Examples of final from the Web

McKnight says the production company promised to edit out the n-word, but left it in the final version of the film.

— michael harriot, The Root, "Black Porn Star Claims He Was Tricked Into Letting His White Co-Star Call Him the N-Word," 18 May 2018
Even so, Thursday's rejection of Senate amendments sends the bill to a conference committee, where members of both chambers will try to agree on a final version in closed-door meetings.

— kevin litten, NOLA.com, "Changes to Harrah's casino bill scrapped; license extension depends on compromise," 17 May 2018
The women who made it through were joined for the final round by 23 returning veterans who have to re-audition for their spots on the team.

— jay betsill, star-telegram, "Nothing routine about doing routines to become a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 17 May 2018
Governor’s office attorney Eddie Greim said the text initially used was from an earlier version of the executive order that didn’t include changes from the final version.

— Washington Post, "Missouri House looking into unauthorized signature," 16 May 2018
They are expected to have a few days to craft a response to any criticism in the report, which will then be incorporated in the final version to be released in coming weeks.

— aruna viswanatha, WSJ, "Report on DOJ’s Handling of Clinton Email Probe Nears Release," 16 May 2018
The Jayhawks were in third place, one stroke off the pace, entering the final round.

— gary bedore, kansascity, "KU men's golf team wins Pacific Regional, advances to NCAA Championships | The Kansas City Star," 16 May 2018
World Sailing had 56 different proposals to sift through before the council voted on the final version, submitted by the Romania' Sailing Federation.

— rob hodgetts, CNN, "Olympic sailing overhauled in 'gender equity' drive for Paris 2024," 15 May 2018
Riedel opened the final round in second place one shot behind Austin Westlake's J. Holland Humphries.

— john harris, Houston Chronicle, "Stratford junior Matthew Riedel captures 6A boys state golf individual title," 15 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'final.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of final

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin finalis, from finis boundary, end

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

final Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of final

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

final

noun

Definition of final

: something that is final: such as

a : a deciding match, game, heat, or trial —usually used in plural

b : the last examination in a course —often used in plural

See final defined for English-language learners

Examples of final in a Sentence

He failed his history finals.
He failed his history final.

Recent Examples of final from the Web

The Capitals, in the conference final for the first time in the Alex Ovechkin era, have lost three straight after winning twice on the road to begin the series.

— fred goodall, chicagotribune.com, "Andrei Vasillevskiy shines late, Lightning hold off Capitals 3-2," 20 May 2018
And after a rousing home win in Game 1, the Jets are having trouble finding an answer to the Golden Knights in the Western Conference finals, which resume on Sunday with Game 5 in Winnipeg and Vegas holding a 3-1 series lead.

— curtis rush, New York Times, "Winnipeg Looks for Respect, on the Ice and Off It," 19 May 2018
Curry has made only two of 13 shots from three-point range during the Western Conference finals, the worst two-game slump of his playoff career.

— dan woike, latimes.com, "Stephen Curry continues his shooting routine in effort to shake slump for Game 3 against Rockets," 19 May 2018
At the beginning of the season, long before its regional title and its run to the state finals, the Mt. Hebron girls lacrosse team had a players-only meeting.

— kyle stackpole, Howard County Times, "Mt. Hebron girls lacrosse downs Huntingtown, returns to state championship for first time since 2009," 19 May 2018
The winger, 19, has come up through our Academy system and was a regular for our Under-23s this season as well as starting seven games in our run to the Under-19 UEFA Youth League quarter-finals, scoring twice.

— SI.com, "'Terrible Business': Tottenham Fans Fume As Club Announce They Have Sold Young Prospect," 19 May 2018
Mourinho, who had never lost an English domestic final, was in typically defiant mood after the defeat.

— paul gittings, CNN, "FA Cup: Chelsea beats Man Utd to land second trophy under Antonio Conte," 19 May 2018
Patterson Mill beat visiting Havre de Grace, 12-6, to win the Class 1A East, Section I final, while Bel Air beat visiting Aberdeen, 10-3, in the 3A North, Section II final.

— randy mcroberts, The Aegis, "Patterson Mill, Bel Air boys to play for region lacrosse titles," 15 May 2018
Towson High broke open a close game with 12 runs in the final two innings to defeat host Franklin (17-3) in the Class 3A North Region Section I baseball finals, 14-0.

— craig clary, baltimoresun.com, "Towson erupts for 12 runs in final two innings in victory over Franklin in the regional playoffs," 15 May 2018

Origin and Etymology of final

see ¹final

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1609

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

FINAL Defined for English Language Learners

final

noun

Definition of final for English Language Learners

: the last competition (such as a game or race) or set of competitions in a series
finals : the examinations that happen at the end of a class, term, or course of study
: an examination at the end of a class

FINAL Defined for Kids

final

adjective fi·nal \ ˈfī-nᵊl \

Definition of final for Students

1 : coming or happening at the end

final exams

2 : not to be changed

The decision of the judges is final.

—

finally

adverb

Word Root of final

The Latin word finis, meaning “end” or “boundary,” gives us the root fin. Words from the Latin finis have something to do with ends or limits. Something final, such as the last chapter in a book, is the ending one. To confine is to put limits or boundaries around something. To finish something is to come to its end. Something finite has limits and happens only for a certain amount of time or in a certain space before it ends.

final

noun

Definition of final for Students

1 : the last match or game of a tournament

2 : a final examination in a course

Law Dictionary

final

adjective fi·nal

legal Definition of final

1 : ending a court action or proceeding leaving nothing further to be determined by the court or to be done except execution of the judgment but not precluding appeal —used of an order, decision, judgment, decree, determination, or sentence — see also finality, final judgment rule — compare interlocutory

2 : being a decision that precludes the right to appeal or to continue a case in any other court upon the merits: as

a : being a decision for which availability of appeal has been exhausted and concerning which a writ of certiorari has been denied or the time to petition for certiorari has expired

b : being a decision of the Supreme Court of the U.S. that terminates the litigation between parties on the merits and leaves nothing for the lower court to do in case of an affirmance except to execute the judgment

3 : being the last in a series, process, or progress

a final payment

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final

Definition of final

finally

Examples of final in a Sentence

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Origin and Etymology of final

final Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

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Synonym Discussion of final

final

Definition of final

Examples of final in a Sentence

Recent Examples of final from the Web

Origin and Etymology of final

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FINAL Defined for English Language Learners

final

Definition of final for English Language Learners

FINAL Defined for Kids

final

Definition of final for Students

finally

Word Root of final

final

Definition of final for Students

Law Dictionary

final

legal Definition of final

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