# finale

/fəˈnæɫi/ (US) · /fɪnˈɑːli/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/finale
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. performance/music

noun · CEFR B2

the last part of a show or a piece of music, often played with a lot of energy.

For teachers: the concluding movement of a musical work or the final scene of a performance, often characterised by increased intensity or a full ensemble.

- The orchestra played a fast, exciting finale that made the audience stand up and cheer.
- The opera reached its emotional peak during the grand finale, where the entire cast returned to the stage for a final, powerful chorus.

### 2. narrative/series

noun · CEFR B2

the final episode of a TV show or the last book in a series that finishes the story.

For teachers: the chronological conclusion of a narrative arc, particularly in television series or multi-volume literary works.

- Millions of people watched the series finale to see how the story finally ended.
- Fans debated the controversial series finale for weeks, arguing over whether the protagonist's fate was a fitting end to the decade-long saga.

### 3. event/celebration

noun · CEFR B2

the impressive end to a public event, like a fireworks show.

For teachers: the spectacular or climactic end to a public event or sequence of celebrations.

- The festival ended with a spectacular fireworks finale over the lake.
- The charity gala concluded with a surprise musical finale, serving as a celebratory thank-you to the donors who had supported the cause throughout the year.

## Examples

- The fireworks display was a perfect finale to the festival.
- The audience stood up and cheered during the grand finale of the opera.
- While the first two acts were somewhat slow, the dramatic finale provided a satisfying resolution that tied all the subplots together perfectly.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.