First Known Use: 1640
Dictionary
1ultimate
adjective ul·ti·mate \ˈəl-tə-mət\
: happening or coming at the end of a process, series of events, etc.
: greatest or most extreme
—used to refer to the original or basic source or cause of something
Full Definition of ULTIMATE
1
2
: arrived at as the last result <the ultimate question>
3
a : basic, fundamental <the ultimate nature of things — A. N. Whitehead> b : original 1 <the ultimate source> c : incapable of further analysis, division, or separation
— ul·ti·mate·ness noun
See ultimate defined for English-language learners
See ultimate defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of ULTIMATE
Medieval Latin ultimatus last, final, from Late Latin, past participle of ultimare to come to an end, be last, from Latin ultimus farthest, last, final, superl. of Latin *ulter situated beyond
Related to ULTIMATE
Synonym Discussion of ULTIMATE
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>.
2ultimate
noun
Definition of ULTIMATE
1
: something ultimate; especially : fundamental
2
: acme
3
capitalized : ultimate frisbee
See ultimate defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of ULTIMATE
1681
3ultimate
verb ul·ti·mate \-mət, -ˌmāt\
ul·ti·mat·edul·ti·mat·ing
ULTIMATE[2] Defined for Kids
ultimate
adjective ul·ti·mate \ˈəl-tə-mət\
Definition of ULTIMATE for Kids
1
: last in a series : final <The traveler's ultimate destination was Rome.>
2
: most extreme <the ultimate sacrifice>
3
: relating to or being the chief or most important <She has ultimate responsibility for the accident.>
— ul·ti·mate·ly adverb
Learn More About ULTIMATE
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: ultimate analysisPrevious Word in the Dictionary: ultima ratioAll Words Near: ultimate
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up ultimate? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).