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)

• survive
• prevail

Adjective

• final
• latest
• closing
• latter
• concluding

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

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

The meeting, which lasted for nearly three hours, ended without a concrete deal. —Katya Soldak, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2025

Its sturdy 900-year-old walls were built with Caen limestone imported from Normandy, France, in a lasting testament to Norman power. —Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2025

Adjective

Tyler Rogers — one of the marquee relievers the Mets acquired before last week’s trade deadline — surrendered three hits in the seventh inning, including a two-out, go-ahead RBI single to Steven Kwan that proved to be the game-winner. —Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 6 Aug. 2025

Anderson was manager of Lake Mary’s Little League World Series title team last year. —Steve Gorches, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Aug. 2025

Adverb

The former Louisville Cardinal was last seen on an NFL roster in January 2025 as a member of the Detroit Lions. —Kambui Bomani, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2025

The band last played in Australia and New Zealand in 1998, and in Japan in 1996. —Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 5 Aug. 2025

Noun

The mRNA instructions from vaccination degrade within a few days, and studies suggest the spike protein generated by such vaccination against COVID lasts about a month in the body. —Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 6 Aug. 2025

Lululemon started in shoes with women’s-specific models by creating different lasts and performance attributes for female runners. —Tim Newcomb, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2025

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

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

Rhymes for last

• bast
• blast
• cast
• caste
• classed
• clast
• fast
• gassed
• gast
• glassed
• grassed
• hast

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