First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1final
adjective fi·nal \ˈfī-nəl\
: happening or coming at the end
: happening as a result : happening at the end of a process
—used to say that something will not to be changed or done again
Full Definition of FINAL
1
a : not to be altered or undone <all sales are final> b : of or relating to a concluding court action or proceeding <final decree>
2
: coming at the end : being the last in a series, process, or progress <the final chapter>
3
: of or relating to the ultimate purpose or result of a process <our final goal>
— fi·nal·ly \ˈfī-nəl-ē, ˈfīn-lē\ adverb
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Origin of FINAL
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin finalis, from finis boundary, end
Related to FINAL
Synonym Discussion of FINAL
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>.
2final
noun
: the last competition (such as a game or race) or set of competitions in a series
finals : the examinations that happen at the end of a class, term, or course of study
: an examination at the end of a class
Full Definition of FINAL
: something that is final: as a : a deciding match, game, heat, or trial —usually used in plural b : the last examination in a course —often used in plural
See final defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of FINAL
1609
Rhymes with FINAL
FINALS Defined for Kids
1final
adjective fi·nal \ˈfī-nəl\
Definition of FINAL for Kids
1
: coming or happening at the end <final exams>
2
: not to be changed <The decision of the judges is final.>
— fi·nal·ly adverb
Word Root of FINAL
The Latin word finis, meaning “end” or “boundary,” gives us the root fin. Words from the Latin finis have something to do with ends or limits. Something final, such as the last chapter in a book, is the ending one. To confine is to put limits or boundaries around something. To finish something is to come to its end. Something finite has limits and happens only for a certain amount of time or in a certain space before it ends.
2final
noun
Definition of FINAL for Kids
1
: the last match or game of a tournament
2
: a final examination in a course
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