# penultimate

/pɛˈnəɫtəmət/ (US) · /pɛnˈʌltɪmət/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/penultimate
Updated: 2026-05-08

## Definition

the one that comes right before the very last one in a series. If you are reading a book with ten chapters, chapter nine is the penultimate one.

For teachers: immediately preceding the final item in a series or sequence. Often used in literary or academic contexts to describe chapters, syllables, or stages in a process.

## Examples

- The penultimate chapter of the book is the most exciting.
- We are currently in the penultimate week of the semester, so everyone is busy preparing for final exams.
- The protagonist's sudden realization in the penultimate scene provides the necessary emotional weight for the story's tragic conclusion, ensuring the finale feels earned rather than forced.

## Pitfalls

- Not "the penultimate last one" but "the penultimate one" — Penultimate already means 'next to last', so adding 'last' is redundant.

## Usage notes

- Typically used attributively before a noun. While it can function as a noun in linguistics to refer to a syllable, the adjective sense is significantly more common in general English.

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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.