# ultimately

/ˈəɫtəmətɫi/ (US) · /ˈʌltɪmətli/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. in the end

adverb · CEFR B2

after a long time or a complicated process.

For teachers: 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.

- 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.

### 2. most importantly

adverb · CEFR B2 · Academic

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

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

- 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.

### 3. etymological origin

adverb · CEFR C2 · Technical · Academic

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

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- Ultimately, the decision is yours to make.
- The team faced many challenges during the season, but they ultimately won the championship trophy.
- While the short-term fluctuations of the market are unpredictable, the value of the company is ultimately determined by its ability to innovate and maintain its customer base.

---

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.