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.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
That heat wave will last for most of next week, with record highs expected along the I-95 corridor.—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 12 July 2024 Closures will last for up to 15 minutes at any time.—David Wysong, The Enquirer, 12 July 2024
Adjective
Check out the complete lists of 50 notable works for fiction and the top 50 nonfiction books of last year.—Steven Petrow, Washington Post, 19 July 2024 Cincinnati Enquirer Cincinnati became the first city in Ohio to legalize accessory dwelling units when city council passed an ordinance in June of last year, going into effect in October.—Killian Baarlaer, The Enquirer, 14 July 2024
Adverb
The teen was last seen with her two young cousins, ages 4 and 6, when all three disappeared from the San Juan Tlihuaca neighborhood of Azcapotzalco, a borough in Mexico City, according to Mexican Amber alerts issued for the girls.—USA TODAY, 13 July 2024 His attacker was last seen running south on Wyckoff Ave.—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 13 July 2024
Noun
The child was still alive and identified as the 1-year-old last seen with Jack.—Mark Price, Miami Herald, 12 July 2024 Footwear is an expensive business due to the vast array and combinations of sizes, fabrications, lasts and heels.—Arthur Zaczkiewicz, WWD, 10 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for last
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'last.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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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