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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Verb
Such separations, which have even involved infants and toddlers, can cause lasting psychological harm to children and irreparable damage to their brains, according to a report by the American Psychological Association.—George B. Sánchez-Tello, Rolling Stone, 23 Mar. 2025 The sides were supposed to begin negotiations in early February on the ceasefire’s next phase, in which Hamas was to release the remaining 59 hostages — 35 of them believed to be dead — in exchange for more Palestinian prisoners, a lasting ceasefire and an Israeli withdrawal.—Wafaa Shurafa and Samy Magdy, Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2025
Adjective
The star slugged 38 home runs with an OPS near .900 in 2023, but the 100 games from last year really dropped his value.—Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Mar. 2025 California has been ground zero for the H5N1 bird flu since last March.—Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2025
Adverb
The character was last seen in 2022's Thor: Love and Thunder, which was the fourth individual movie for the superhero after previously appearing in all four Avengers movies.—Rebecca Aizin, People.com, 27 Mar. 2025 The former frontman of The Police still makes music, performs live, and continues to command headlines — but even so, it’s been a while since his name last appeared on the charts in his home country in a major way.—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025
Noun
Other attributes play a role in ensuring the wallpaper lasts and stays adhered to the wall in a high-moisture room.—Rebecca Jones, Southern Living, 27 Mar. 2025 The Dow Jones Industrial Average remains on pace for its ninth straight negative session, a sour feat last recorded in 1978.—Jeff Marks,kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 17 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for last
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
Share