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

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

• eventually
• someday

Examples of finally in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

No, what finally finished me on this subplot was this week’s exchange of manuscripts with Duncan, a highbrow biographer. —Judy Berman, Time, 11 July 2025

The sequence lasts nearly two minutes without a word spoken by either: just Jess breathing deeply, eyes shut, face scrunched up, as Felix stares at the ceiling, then at her, before finally inching closer. —Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 10 July 2025

After facing every hurdle imaginable — including a vengeful ex, a paternity mystery and a devastating miscarriage — Mel and Jack finally got engaged at the end of Season 4, and their wedding followed in Season 6. —Ryan Schwartz, TVLine, 10 July 2025

After years trapped in development hell, the new reboot finally moved forward with MJ Bassett (Iron Fist, Power, and Ash vs. Evil Dead) directing a screenplay by Tasha Huo (Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft). —EW.com, 10 July 2025

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