last

1 of 6

verb (1)

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 longerJames 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

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.
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
Head to Amazon to save up to $100 on the Oura Ring Gen3 Horizon while this deal lasts. Isabel Garcia, People.com, 26 Oct. 2024 Their products are designed to last, and the brand avoids mass production. Julian Hayes Ii, Forbes, 26 Oct. 2024
Adjective
That’s an increase of 20% on the same figure from last year, and represents about 10% of all emergency room waits. Katherine Hignett, Forbes, 27 Oct. 2024 The figure even falls short of shooting in the region during the same time last year, when the industry was halted by the work stoppage. Katie Kilkenny, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Oct. 2024
Adverb
Rantanen was last seen at about 6:46 a.m. Sunday traveling by foot on the 600 block of East Potter Avenue in Milwaukee, police said. Hope Karnopp, Journal Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2024 Brooklyn’s Layne Sleeth finished last, and helped contribute to Brooklyn’s 1-3 weekend and their falling out of playoff contention. Todd Boss, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024
Noun
How long the strike lasts will determine how serious the problems are for Boeing. Chris Isidore, CNN, 16 Sep. 2024 Currently, experts say, most basketball shoes marketed to women are still designed using lasts (the mold shoes are formed around) based mainly on the average male foot, which has a wider heel and flatter arch than a typical woman’s, among other differences. Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 2 Oct. 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

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of last was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near last

Cite this Entry

“Last.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/last. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

last

1 of 6 verb
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

More from Merriam-Webster on last

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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