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

Leading into the finale of a three-game road trip, the Charlotte Hornets coach was asked what’s changed lately, resulting in a more balanced overall record. —Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 6 Jan. 2026

If a Chiefs fan had been told in July that quarterback Patrick Mahomes would miss the season finale, there actually would have been reason for optimism. —Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 5 Jan. 2026

The season ended with the gang war in Kingstown escalating to a violent climax in the finale. —Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 5 Jan. 2026

The objective permeated throughout conversations before and after Sunday’s season finale loss to the New York Giants. —Joseph Hoyt, Dallas Morning News, 5 Jan. 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)