ultimate
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
adj.the best, greatest, or most extreme example of something.
adj.representing the maximum possible degree or the finest example of a particular quality.
Simple“For many climbers, reaching the top of Mount Everest is the ultimate challenge.”
In context“The luxury sedan was marketed as the ultimate driving machine, combining unparalleled comfort with cutting-edge performance technology.”
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
adj.the last or final part of a long process or series of events.
adj.occurring at the end of a process, series, or progression; final.
Simple“The ultimate goal of the project is to provide clean water to the whole village.”
In context“While the immediate effects were positive, the ultimate consequences of the policy change would not be understood for several decades.”
- 03 C1 Advanced
adj.the most basic or important part of something that cannot be broken down further.
adj.representing the most fundamental or elemental constituent of a system or concept.
Simple“Scientists are searching for the ultimate building blocks of the universe.”
In context“The philosopher argued that the ultimate reality of the world is far more complex than our senses suggest.”
SynonymsAntonyms - 04 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.the best or most perfect example of something.
n.the finest or most extreme example of a particular class or type.
Simple“This hotel is the ultimate in luxury and comfort.”
In context“To many critics, this symphony represents the ultimate in Romantic musical expression.”
- 05 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a team sport played with a flying disc (Frisbee).
n.a non-contact team sport played with a flying disc, where points are scored by passing to a teammate in the opposing end zone.
Simple“We meet at the park every Sunday afternoon to play ultimate.”
In context“Ultimate has gained significant popularity on university campuses due to its emphasis on fair play and self-refereeing.”
UsageUsually used as an uncountable noun without an article.
Synonymsultimate frisbee
Usage global ultimate
“He went to work on his coaching badges after retiring and, 12 months after taking charge of Derby, he achieved his ultimate goal in double-quick time: managing Chelsea.”
“As for the movie, this might be the ultimate European and American meet-cute.”
* From Medieval Latin ultimātus (“furthest, last”), perfect passive participle of ultimō (“to come to an end”) (see -ate (1,2 and 3)), from ultimus (“last, final”) + -ō (verb-forming suffix). See ultra-. * (ultimate frisbee): The sport was renamed to avoid the use of the Frisbee trademark.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.