Word
ultimately
Phoneticsul·ti·mate·ly, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈəɫtəmətɫi/
UK/ˈʌltɪmətli/
Sentence adverb
Definitions
01in the end
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adv. after a long time or a complicated process.
adv. at the end of a process, period of time, or series of events. Often functions as a disjunct to frame the finality of a conclusion.
日本語:最終的に※
“The two companies talked for months, but the deal ultimately failed.”
“Although the negotiations were fraught with tension and several minor setbacks, the two parties ultimately reached a consensus that satisfied the shareholders.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
02most importantly
B2 · Upper Intermediate Academic
adv. used to show the most important or basic fact of a situation.
adv. at the most fundamental level; used to identify the primary or underlying reason, factor, or responsibility.
日本語:結局※
“You can ask for advice, but you are ultimately responsible for your own choices.”
“While external market forces certainly played a role, the collapse of the firm was ultimately due to a lack of internal oversight and poor fiscal management.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
03etymological origin
C2 · Proficiency Science Technical · Academic
adv. used to show the original word that a modern word comes from.
adv. indicating the furthest traceable etymon or root from which a word is derived.
“The English word 'salary' comes ultimately from the Latin word for salt.”
“The term is borrowed from French, though it derives ultimately from a Proto-Indo-European root meaning to turn or to bend.”
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “ultimately” in context.
Verb
01. ultimately depend
“The success of the project will ultimately depend on how well the team communicates.”
adv + verb
02. ultimately determine
“These final test results will ultimately determine whether the product is safe for the public.”
adv + verb
03. ultimately result
“The new government policies will ultimately result in lower taxes for small businesses.”
adv + verb
04. ultimately better
05. ultimately fail
06. demand ultimately
Real-World Examples
“Ultimately, “we do not have enough information” to know whether histamines can worsen perimenopausal symptoms, says Voedisch.” “But precisely because of that, I cannot close my eyes to developments that could harm them and ultimately destroy them,” she said.” “A federal judge ultimately ruled her appointment was unlawful.” “Despite the protests, Israel's Noam Bettan ultimately took second place with his song Michelle.” Etymology
From ultimate + -ly.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/ultimately
※ 機械で選んだ訳語です。ネイティブスピーカーによる確認はまだです。
「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0