final
A final examination; a test or examination given at the end of a term or class; the test that concludes a class.
Word facts
Definition of Final
The last round, game or match in a contest, after which the winner is determined.
Example sentences
I stayed up all night studying for my chemistry final.
The whole class was nervous before the math final began.
Using Final well
A closer look at how final is used — meaning in plain English, how close synonyms differ, and examples at different levels.
Coming last, after which nothing else follows, or settled so it can't be changed.
Use it for the last item in a sequence, or for a decision that is settled and not open to further change. It works in both plain speech and formal writing.
Common in schedules, competitions, decisions, and documents (the final round, the final version, the decision is final).
Do not confuse 'finale' (the noun for a closing performance or section) with 'final' (usually the adjective, or the last game/exam). A concert has a finale; a tournament has a final.
- last
- plainer and more neutral — just marks position at the end, without the sense of being settled or conclusive
- concluding
- more formal; emphasises the act of bringing something to a close rather than mere position
- ultimate
- loftier — suggests the furthest or highest point, often with weight or significance, not just the last one
- definitive
- stresses that it settles the matter authoritatively, not just that it comes last
- closing
- gentler, often used for the end part of an event or text (closing remarks) rather than an unchangeable decision
- first
- the opposite by position — the one at the start
- initial
- more formal opposite; the earliest stage, often implying more will follow
- provisional
- opposite in the 'settled' sense — temporary and open to change
- Beginner This is the final chapter of the book.
- In writing After three rounds of edits, we agreed the final draft was ready to send.
- Advanced The board's ruling was final, leaving no avenue for appeal.
Think 'the finish line' — final marks where things end.
Synonyms for Final
Words that rhyme with Final
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Browse words near Final
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FAQ
Questions people ask
What does final mean?
A final examination; a test or examination given at the end of a term or class; the test that concludes a class. It is a noun.
How many syllables does final have?
Final has 2 syllables: fy·nuhl. The word is broken into 2 spoken beats.
What part of speech is final?
Final is used as a noun. As a noun, it names a thing, idea, or concept.
What are synonyms for final?
Words with similar meanings to final include terminal, ultimate, last, net. The best synonym depends on the exact context you are writing or reading in.
How do you use final in a sentence?
Example: "I stayed up all night studying for my chemistry final."