last

1 of 6

verb (1)

ˈlast 

lasted; lasting; lasts

intransitive verb

1

: to continue in time

The movie lasted about two hours.

2

a

: to remain fresh or unimpaired : endure

That paint job should last a long time.

b

: to manage to continue (as in a course of action)

She won't last; she'll quit before the week's out.

c

: to continue to live

he will not last very much longer

—James Dennis

transitive verb

1

: to be enough for the needs of

The supplies will last them a week.

2

: to continue in existence or action as long as or longer than

—often used with out

couldn't last out the training program

last

2 of 6

adjective

1

a

: following all the rest

He was the last one out.

b

: being the only remaining

our last dollar

2

: belonging to the final stage (as of life)

her last hours on earth

3

a

: next before the present : most recent

last week

His last book was a failure.

b

: most up-to-date : latest

It's the last thing in fashion.

4

a

: farthest from a specified quality, attitude, or likelihood

would be the last person to fall for flattery

b

: lowest in rank or standing

also : worst

5

a

: distinct, separate

—used as an intensive

ate every last piece of food

b

: conclusive

There is no last answer to the problem.

c

: highest in degree : supreme, ultimate

lastly adverb

last

3 of 6

adverb

1

: after all others : at the end

came last and left first

2

: most lately

saw her last in Rome

3

: in conclusion

Last, let's consider the social aspect.

last

4 of 6

noun (1)

: something that is last

last

5 of 6

noun (2)

: a form (as of metal or plastic) which is shaped like the human foot and over which a shoe is shaped or repaired

Illustration of last

• ⁵last

last

6 of 6

verb (2)

lasted; lasting; lasts

transitive verb

: to shape with a last

Phrases

at last or at long last

: at the end of a period of time : finally

At last you've come home.

Synonyms

Verb (1)

• hold out
• hold up
• keep up
• prevail
• survive

Adjective

• bottommost
• closing
• concluding
• final
• hindmost
• lag
• latest
• latter
• rearmost
• terminal
• terminating
• ultimate

Choose the Right Synonym for last

Verb (1)

continue, last, endure, abide, persist mean to exist over a period of time or indefinitely.

continue applies to a process going on without ending.

the search for peace will continue

last, especially when unqualified, may stress existing beyond what is normal or expected.

buy shoes that will last

endure adds an implication of resisting destructive forces or agencies.

in spite of everything, her faith endured

abide implies stable and constant existing especially as opposed to mutability.

a love that abides through 40 years of marriage

persist suggests outlasting the normal or appointed time and often connotes obstinacy or doggedness.

the sense of guilt persisted

Adjective

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

Examples of last in a Sentence

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

Through his steadfast commitment and attention to detail, Norby has had a lasting impact on the sports fans’ experience. —Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2024

Most places along the centerline will see totality lasting between three and a half minutes and four minutes. —Mallory Moench, TIME, 6 Apr. 2024

Wayfair’s 5 Days of Deals sale lasts through April 9, but popular and deeply discounted items are flying off the virtual shelves. —Rachel Trujillo, Southern Living, 6 Apr. 2024

The aftershock will likely last for the next couple of days, Russell told Fortune. —Rachyl Jones, Fortune, 5 Apr. 2024

This long lasting men’s cologne features a mostly orange citrus fragrance that lasts the whole day. —Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 5 Apr. 2024

The ground stoppages and delays are not expected to last long. —Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 5 Apr. 2024

As the weather has warmed, pollen season has started about 20 days earlier and lasted eight days longer. —Brenda Goodman, CNN, 4 Apr. 2024

Tape-ins can last four to ten weeks (experts say 12 weeks is the maximum) on natural hair. —Tayler Adigun, Allure, 25 Mar. 2024

Adjective

Jost also addressed how Trump suggested that Biden was on cocaine during his State of the Union address last month–the same speech where Biden’s performance was widely seen as refuting right-wing criticisms of the president as lacking stamina. —William Vaillancourt, Rolling Stone, 7 Apr. 2024

In a separate interview Sunday on MSNBC, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg talked about a plan the Army Corps of Engineers released last week to open a 35-foot deep channel to the Port of Baltimore by the end of April. —Katie Mettler, Washington Post, 7 Apr. 2024

That is still below the $33.9 billion earned worldwide last year and $10 billion below the box office peak of $42.3 billion hit pre-pandemic. —Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Apr. 2024

The film, which premiered last fall at the Venice Film Festival, offered Neeson more than another chance to hold a gun. —Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Mar. 2024

In light of recent news about Brian Wilson’s declining neurocognitive condition, his interview in The Beach Boys may wind up being his last on camera. —Spin Staff, SPIN, 26 Mar. 2024

At Dulles International Airport to the west, the average last snow is March 4. —Ian Livingston, Washington Post, 26 Mar. 2024

She was detained by Los Angeles police last June for a mental health evaluation, months after she was reportedly placed on a psychiatric hold. —Kaitlyn Huamani, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2024

The dispensary could generate nearly $206 million in gross sales revenues in its first year if limited only to medical patients, compared with $385 million if product is available to all adult users, according to figures released by Qualla Enterprises before last year’s adult-use referendum. —Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 26 Mar. 2024

Adverb

The City Girls last released a project in October with RAW which featured stars like Usher, Muni Long, Lil Durk, Juicy J and more. —Michael Saponara, Billboard, 8 Apr. 2024

And to celebrate her big night, Yearwood, who last attended the show in 2019, wore a striking red carpet look. —Michelle Lee, Peoplemag, 8 Apr. 2024

It’s been 25 years since WrestleMania last was hosted in Philadelphia, but last weekend was a triumphant return, with just over 145,000 tickets sold for the two nights. —Shaheem Reid, Variety, 8 Apr. 2024

Peck was last seen in May, although he was not reported missing, deputies said. —Don Sweeney, Sacramento Bee, 7 Apr. 2024

For added context, all of this is happening with the Sharks about to finish last in the NHL standings. —Curtis Pashelka, The Mercury News, 7 Apr. 2024

Agam was last seen on a Hamas telegram video being led on October 7th to a car while still in her pajamas. —Kim Hjelmgaard, USA TODAY, 7 Apr. 2024

Milk Makeup Mini Hydro Grip Primer Buy Now $20 The key to making your makeup last on a busy travel day is a high-quality primer, and this Milk Makeup Hydro Grip formula acts like glue for your makeup by keeping it from cracking, creasing, and fading. —Alexandra Domrongchai, Travel + Leisure, 6 Apr. 2024

Bloomington, which last saw a total eclipse in 1869, will be in the path of totality on Monday and may host hundreds of thousands of visitors. —John Towfighi, CNN, 6 Apr. 2024

Noun

The typical cold lasts between seven and 10 days.1 Do not worry if your symptoms last longer than that. —Colleen Murphy, Health, 5 Apr. 2024

The Cleveland native’s last released a rap album in 2019 with Hotel Diablo which followed MGK’s lucrative rock pivot. —Michael Saponara, Billboard, 29 Mar. 2024

The 52-year-old last played in the NHL in 2018, but still plays in his home country. —Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 14 Mar. 2024

Related The new spot picks up where Dunkin’ last left off, with aspiring pop star Ben Affleck continuing on his path to music greatness. —Anna Chan, Billboard, 8 Feb. 2024

What to Consider The big 103 last may actually be too roomy and comfy for those with narrow or small-volume feet. —Douglas Schnitzspahn, Travel + Leisure, 21 Dec. 2023

How long a cold lasts depends on the person and the symptoms. —Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 16 Dec. 2023

Most importantly, while the Black Friday sale lasts, the iWoly vacuum is only $80. —Carly Totten, Southern Living, 24 Nov. 2023

But the longer the dynamic lasts, the greater Israel’s conundrum. —Patrick Kingsley, New York Times, 28 Nov. 2023

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

First Known Use

Verb (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Adjective

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adverb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

1603, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing last

• every last
• at long last
• every last one
• down to the smallest/last/tiniest detail
• breathe one's last
• if it's the last thing someone does
• he who laughs last, laughs best
• hear the last of (something)
• have the last word
• first and last
• final/last resting place
• have/get the last laugh
• last minute
• last hurrah
• last laugh
• last-in first-out
• last-gasp goal
• last-gasp
• last ditch
• in the final/last analysis
• if it's the last thing someone (ever) does
• last/dying breath
• last call
• last but not least
• he laughs best that laughs last
• last name
• last time
• next to last
• on one's last legs
• pay one's last respects
• second to last
• see the last of (someone or something)
• the final/last straw
• the last moment
• the last minute
• the last/previous couple of
• to the last man
• weapon of last resort
• last straw
• Fermat's last theorem
• last orders
• the last post
• last resort
• last thing
• the last
• the last thing on someone's mind
• (the) last someone heard
• come last
• the last rites
• last mile
• last thing on someone's mind
• (the) last someone saw
• last rites
• the last/final word
• last word
• last the distance
• trade-last
• at last
• hear the last of it

Kids Definition

last

1 of 6 verb

ˈlast 

1

: to continue in being or operation

lasted three hours

2

: to be enough for the needs of

supplies to last a week

last

2 of 6 noun

: a form which is shaped like the human foot and on which a shoe is shaped or repaired

last

3 of 6 verb

: to shape with a last

last

4 of 6 adjective

1

a

: following all the rest in time, place, or rank

last one out

b

: being the only remaining

last dollar

2

: belonging to the final stage

3

: next before the present : latest

last week

4

: least likely

the last thing we'd want

last

5 of 6 adverb

1

: at the end

ran last

2

: most lately

saw them last at school

3

: in conclusion

and last, I'd like to talk about success

last

6 of 6 noun

: something that is last

Etymology

Verb

Old English læstan "to last, follow"

Noun

Old English lǣste

Adjective

Old English latost "latest," from læt "late" — related to late entry 1