finally

adverb

fi·​nal·​ly ˈfī-nᵊl-ē 

ˈfīn-lē

1

: after a prolonged time : at the end of period of time

Two hours later, the train finally arrived.

He finally got around to calling.

I'm so happy to finally meet you!

It finally dawned on me what she'd meant.

2

a

: as the last act or occurrence in a series : in the end : eventually

After many attempts, they finally gave up.

"My career meandered all over the place and I finally settled on comedic acting. …"

—Cassandra Peterson

"He listened to the whole thing, very attentive, and finally he turned to the doctor and he said, 'I have a question.'"

—Russell Newman

b

: by way of conclusion : as the last point

… Finally, I'd like to thank the fans for their great support …

—Joe Girardi, quoted in New York Post

c

: in the end : ultimately

What finally matters is whether you're likely to drink enough of the organisms to make you sick.

—Peter Jaret

3

old-fashioned : in a final manner : in a way that does not allow change

I have reason for asking this question which you have answered so finally.

—Willa Cather

She said it so finally … that Mr. Pumblechook … could not protest.

—Charles Dickens

… the power to decide finally and conclusively upon all motions made in the course of legislative proceedings …

—John G. Carlisle

Synonyms of finally

• eventually
• someday

Examples of finally in a Sentence

we're making steady progress and may finally finish this project

Recent Examples on the Web

The Hurricanes, the most improved team in the nation, are finally capturing the attention of the nation and overcame a hostile crowd to beat Missouri 80-66 Friday night. —Miami Herald, 22 Mar. 2026

But because the backdrop has changed, there is more pressure on them to finally start at least a good faith negotiation (ph). —ABC News, 22 Mar. 2026

Seeing the lagging progress of settlement talks between the diocese and the abuse victims, a federal bankruptcy judge allowed six of those cases to finally proceed to trial. —Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 22 Mar. 2026

More than 20 years after an investigation into a Moreno Valley homicide began, Riverside County deputies have finally made an arrest. —Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 22 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Phrases Containing finally

• the/his chickens are (finally) coming home to roost