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
The result was what today is known as the Great Famine, which lasted from 1958 to 1962, killed as many as forty-five million people, and is widely regarded as the worst famine in history.—Ian Johnson, The New Yorker, 18 Aug. 2024 These shorts are built to last and will be a go-to piece for many seasons to come.—Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 17 Aug. 2024
Adjective
Strickland, a genial thirty-nine-year-old Buffalo native who moved to Rochester last year, was the seventh superintendent of the district since 2016.—Alec MacGillis, The New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2024 In 2021, the state recorded 201 murders, 182 in 2022, and 172 last year.—Stepheny Price, Fox News, 21 Aug. 2024
Adverb
Brenna Swindell, the daughter of Greg Swindell, was last seen on Aug. 22 at Poodies Hilltop Bar in Spicewood, Texas, outside Austin, according to the Austin Police Department.—Mark Osborne, ABC News, 26 Aug. 2024 Kate Walsh returned in Season 18 a decade after her character Addison was last seen on the show.—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 15 Aug. 2024
Noun
Her last came with 1:51 to play to put the Lynx up 88-77.—Mike Cook, Twin Cities, 26 June 2024 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 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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