# finals

/ˈfaɪnəɫz/ (US) · /fˈaɪnəlz/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. sports competition

noun · CEFR B1

the last series of games or matches in a tournament to decide the winner.

For teachers: the concluding stage of a sports competition or tournament, typically involving a series of matches to determine the ultimate champion.

- The team played brilliantly all season and finally reached the finals.
- After a gruelling semi-final match that went into overtime, the underdog team secured their place in the national finals.

### 2. academic exams

noun · CEFR B1

the important exams that students take at the end of a school or university year.

For teachers: the final examinations at the end of an academic term or degree programme, often carrying significant weight for the final grade.

- I spent the whole weekend in the library studying for my history finals.
- The atmosphere on campus was noticeably tense as students prepared for their senior finals, which would determine their honours classifications.

### 3. aviation approach

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

the last part of a flight when the plane is lined up with the runway to land.

For teachers: the final leg of an aircraft's approach to a runway, during which it is aligned with the centreline for landing.

- The pilot announced that we were on finals and would be landing in two minutes.
- The air traffic controller cleared the light aircraft for landing once the commercial jet ahead had cleared the runway and the pilot was established on finals.

Usage: Often used in the phrase 'on finals'.

## Examples

- I am studying hard for my history finals next week.
- The team practiced every day after school to prepare for the regional basketball finals held in the city stadium.
- 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.

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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.