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

Detroit and Milwaukee will square off Sunday for the regular-season finale. —Hunter Patterson, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025

In February, Max renewed The Pitt for a second season, and the finale hints at several potential storylines for the ER crew. —Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 11 Apr. 2025

The night shift doctors Ayesha Harris as Ellis in the Season 1 finale of The Pitt. —Megan McCluskey, Time, 11 Apr. 2025

While Robby and the rest of the gang were finally able to clock out for the day at the end of the finale, a second season that will take place 10 months later and be set over the Fourth of July weekend is slated to premiere in January. —Megan McCluskey, Time, 11 Apr. 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

Rhymes for finale

• alley
• alli
• bally
• calli
• challis
• dally
• galley
• galli
• lally
• mallee
• mally
• rally

Kids Definition

finale

noun

fi·​na·​le fə-ˈnal-ē  fi-ˈnäl- 

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