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
Verb
Properly handled onions should last a month without refrigeration.—Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 5 Aug. 2024 Last summer’s wave in California lasted eight weeks.—Rong-Gong Lin Ii, Los Angeles Times, 5 Aug. 2024
Adjective
It’s been a particularly tough stretch for the White Sox, who are 0-17 since the All-Star break, in part due to facing off against playoff-contending teams in four of their last five series.—Homero De La Fuente, CNN, 6 Aug. 2024 Its theatrically ineffective and technically problematic last one, directed by Robert Lepage, became a running joke.—Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2024
Adverb
Vicki Kirkwood, of Merrillville, was last seen exiting the Lake County Fairgrounds at 1:15 p.m. Tuesday headed northbound, according to a Lake County Sheriff’s Office news release.—Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2024 The actress, whose career now involves too many Hallmark Channel projects to count, was last seen in the iconic locale back in 2022.—Andy Swift, TVLine, 6 Aug. 2024
Noun
Alaska Airlines’s shopping portal has its own deal through August 5; American has a shopping bonus offer through August 8; and Delta’s lasts through August 9.—Ramsey Qubein, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Aug. 2024 How long your chlorine rash lasts will depend upon your length of exposure to pool water.—Caroline C. Boyle, USA TODAY, 20 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for last
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'last.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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
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