ultimate

1 of 3

adjective

ul·​ti·​mate ˈəl-tə-mət 

1

a

: last in a progression or series : final

their ultimate destination was Paris

b

: eventual sense 2

they hoped for ultimate success

c

: the best or most extreme of its kind : utmost

the ultimate sacrifice

d

: most remote in space or time : farthest

2

: arrived at as the last result

the ultimate question

3

a

: original sense 1

the ultimate source

b

: basic, fundamental

the ultimate nature of things

—A. N. Whitehead

c

: incapable of further analysis, division, or separation

ultimateness noun

ultimate

2 of 3

noun

1

: something ultimate

especially : fundamental

2

: acme

3

capitalized : ultimate frisbee

ultimate

3 of 3

verb

ul·​ti·​mate ˈəl-tə-mət  -ˌmāt 

ultimated; ultimating

: end

Synonyms

Adjective

• maximum
• utmost
• most

Choose the Right Synonym for ultimate

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 ultimate in a Sentence

Adjective

Their ultimate fate has not yet been decided.

Our ultimate aim is to increase production.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

That’s why the album has gone down in history, the ultimate case of a superstar ripping it up to start again, in the mode of Kid A or Achtung Baby, Bowie in Berlin or Neil Young heading for the ditch. —Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 2 Nov. 2025

From flattering faux leather pants and wide-leg jeans to a chic trench and the ultimate fall overcoat, here are the European styles to shop this season—starting at $15 at Amazon. —Lane Nieset, Travel + Leisure, 2 Nov. 2025

Noun

Newsom ultimate vetoed a more restrictive piece of AI chatbot legislation that was supported by some online safety advocates, including the parents of Orange County teen Adam Raine, who died by suicide after using AI for companionship. —Kate Wolffe october 23, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2025

Enjoy twin- or double-bedded Superior Cabins, or go for the ultimate with a gigantic Han Dynasty Suite. —Eleanor Flagler Hardy, Travel + Leisure, 11 Oct. 2025

Verb

These include the chief information security officer, chief information officer, chief technology officer and ultimate the chief financial officer comes in to negotiate. —Peter Cohan, Forbes, 18 Sep. 2024

Medterra Prepare on a life-changing journey to ultimate well-being with Medterra's CBD oil, which has been meticulously crafted through whole-plant extraction. —Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 22 July 2023

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Medieval Latin ultimatus last, final, from Late Latin, past participle of ultimare to come to an end, be last, from Latin ultimus farthest, last, final, superlative of Latin *ulter situated beyond

First Known Use

Adjective

1640, in the meaning defined at sense 1d

Noun

1681, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

circa 1834, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing ultimate

• make the final/supreme/ultimate sacrifice
• the ultimate in

Rhymes for ultimate

• penultimate

Kids Definition

ultimate

1 of 2 adjective

ul·​ti·​mate ˈəl-tə-mət 

1

a

: farthest entry 1

the ultimate reaches of the universe

b

: last in a progression : final

c

: extreme entry 1 sense 1

the ultimate sacrifice

2

: arrived at as the last result

the ultimate damage of the hurricane

3

a

: basic entry 1 sense 1

ultimate control

b

: incapable of further division or separation : elemental

ultimate particles

4

: being the greatest : maximum

the ultimate speed of an airplane

ultimate noun

ultimately adverb

ultimate

2 of 2 noun

: ultimate frisbee