What does "ultimately" mean?

1. (in the end) after a long time or a complicated process. 2. (most importantly) used to show the most important or basic fact of a situation. 3. (etymological origin) used to show the original word that a modern word comes from.

ultimately

adv.

US //ˈəɫtəmətɫi// UK //ˈʌltɪmətli// ul·ti·mate·ly

1 in the end (adv.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

after a long time or a complicated process.

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.

Example

The two companies talked for months, but the deal ultimately failed.

Example

Although the negotiations were fraught with tension and several minor setbacks, the two parties ultimately reached a consensus that satisfied the shareholders.
- initially
- originally
2 most importantly (adv.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Academic

used to show the most important or basic fact of a situation.

at the most fundamental level; used to identify the primary or underlying reason, factor, or responsibility.

Example

You can ask for advice, but you are ultimately responsible for your own choices.

Example

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.
- superficially

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3 etymological origin (adv.)
C2 Proficiency Technical Academic Science

used to show the original word that a modern word comes from.

indicating the furthest traceable etymon or root from which a word is derived.

Example

The English word 'salary' comes ultimately from the Latin word for salt.

Example

The term is borrowed from French, though it derives ultimately from a Proto-Indo-European root meaning to turn or to bend.
- originally
- derivationally

Origin

From ultimate + -ly.