finale

noun

fi·​na·​le fə-ˈna-lē  fi-ˈnä- 

: the close or termination of something: such as

a

: the last section of an instrumental musical composition

the symphony's finale

b

: the closing part, scene, or number in a public performance

the finale of the ballet

In the finale, the singer sang an Italian classic.

c

: the last and often climactic event or item in a sequence

the TV show's season finale

Synonyms

• capper
• close
• closing
• conclusion
• consummation
• end
• endgame
• ending
• finis
• finish
• grand finale
• homestretch
• mop-up
• windup
• wrap-up

Examples of finale in a Sentence

She sung a very difficult song for the finale.

the finale to the festivities was a grand display of fireworks

Recent Examples on the Web

In between New Blood and the forthcoming Resurrection is Dexter: Original Sin, the currently airing prequel series that releases its finale this weekend. —Jackie Strause, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Feb. 2025

Prequel series Dexter: Original Sin will release its Season 1 finale this Friday, Feb. 14, on the Paramount+ With Showtime streamer; the episode will air on the linear Paramount+ With Showtime Sunday, Feb. 16 at 10/9c. —Nick Caruso, TVLine, 11 Feb. 2025

There also was no swap on that season’s finale episode, in the following Christmas episode, or its own subsequent season finale. —Tony Maglio, IndieWire, 10 Feb. 2025

Though the series, which premiered on PBS in the United States in 2010, ended its television run in 2015, fans dusted off their coats, tails, and evening gowns for a film adaptation some four years after the show’s finale—and then once more for a second film in 2022. —Radhika Seth, Vogue, 9 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Italian, noun derivative of finale, adjective, "last, final entry 1," going back to Latin fīnālis

First Known Use

1774, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing finale

• grand finale

Kids Definition

finale

noun

fi·​na·​le fə-ˈnal-ē  fi-ˈnäl- 

: the close or end of something (as a musical work)