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final

adj. · n.
US //ˈfaɪnəɫ// UK //fˈaɪnəl// fi·nal
  1. 1 last in a series (adj.)
    A2 Elementary

    coming at the very end of a series or process.

    occurring at the end of a series, process, or period of time.

    Example

    The final chapter of the book explains what happened to the hero.

    Example

    The final stage of the negotiations proved to be the most difficult, as neither side was willing to compromise on the remaining budget issues.
  2. 2 decisive or fixed (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    cannot be changed; the last word on a matter.

    conclusive and decisive; allowing no further doubt, dispute, or revision.

    Example

    The judge's decision is final and cannot be appealed.

    Example

    The board issued a final warning to the director, making it clear that any further policy violations would result in immediate dismissal.
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  1. 3 sports competition (n.)
    A2 Elementary Sport

    the last game or match in a tournament that decides the winner.

    the concluding heat, game, or match in a series or tournament which determines the ultimate winner.

    Example

    Thousands of fans travelled to the city to watch the cup final.

    Example

    After a gruelling season, the two top-seeded teams met in the final to compete for the national trophy.
  2. 4 school examination (n.)
    B1 Intermediate American English

    an important test at the end of a school or college term.

    an examination administered at the end of an academic term or course of study.

    Example

    I need to stay in the library tonight to study for my history final.

    Example

    The students felt an immense sense of relief once their graduation finals were over and the summer break officially began.

    Usage

    Often used in the plural ('finals') when referring to a series of exams at the end of a degree.
  3. 5 grammar/purpose (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Formal Technical Academic

    describing the purpose or goal of an action.

    expressing purpose or the ultimate end in view; specifically used in linguistics to describe clauses of purpose.

    Example

    In the sentence 'He ran to catch the bus', the second part is a final clause.

    Example

    The researcher analysed the use of final clauses in legal documents to determine how legislative intent is traditionally phrased.

    Usage

    Typically used in the phrase 'final clause'.
    • purposive
Origin

From Middle English final, fynal, fynall, from Old French final, from Latin fīnālis (“of or relating to the end or to boundaries”), from fīnis (“end”); see fine. Replaced native English endly (“final”).

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