ENGLISH
REFERENCE

finals

n. countable
B1 Intermediate US //ˈfaɪnəɫz// UK //fˈaɪnəlz// fi·nals

n. the last and most important games in a sports competition or the last exams at the end of a school year.

n. the concluding series of games in a sports tournament or the final examinations at the end of an academic term.


SIMPLE

I am studying hard for my history finals next week.

CONTEXTUAL

The team practiced every day after school to prepare for the regional basketball finals held in the city stadium.

COMPLEX

While the early rounds of the tournament were relatively easy, the intensity increased significantly as the players reached the finals and faced more experienced opponents.

Synonyms
Usage

Almost always used in the plural form when referring to exams or sports tournaments.

Pitfall

I have a final next weekI have finals next weekWhen referring to the set of exams at the end of a course, learners should use the plural 'finals' rather than the singular.

© 2026 English Reference