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
• sometime
• sooner or later
• ultimately
• yet

Examples of finally in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

That opportunity finally came in Minnesota, when Alexander-Walker sprung onto the scene in the form of an elite perimeter defender during the 2023 postseason after Jaden McDaniels went down with a broken hand. —Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 16 Nov. 2024

Staff Pick: Menu prices are finally leveling off Multiple restaurant surveys said so, and this week, the consumer-price index confirmed it: Dining out is getting cheaper. —Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024

Lastly, some of this knowledge was learned the hard way: By messing up in the field a few times and finally learning from those mistakes. —Joe Arterburn, Outdoor Life, 14 Nov. 2024

That mystery appears finally solved thanks to researchers in Purdue University’s Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences (EAPS). —Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 14 Nov. 2024

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