final

See also: Final and finał

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

From Middle English final, fynal, fynall, from Old French final, from Latin fīnālis (“of or relating to the end or to boundaries”), from fīnis (“end”); see fine. Replaced native English endly (“final”).

Pronunciation

  • (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈfaɪnl̩/
  • Audio (London):(file)
  • (General American) enPR: fī'nəl, IPA(key): /ˈfaɪn(ə)l/, [-nəɫ]
  • Audio (General American):(file)
  • Hyphenation: fi‧nal
  • Rhymes: -aɪnəl

Noun

final (plural finals)

  1. (Canada, US, Philippines) A final examination; a test or examination given at the end of a term or class; the test that concludes a class.
  2. (Oxbridge slang) A final examination taken at the end of the final year of an undergraduate course, which contributes towards a student's degree classification.
  3. (sports) The last round, game or match in a contest, after which the winner is determined.
  4. (phonology) The final part of a syllable, the combination of medial and rime in phonetics and phonology.
  5. (music) The tonic or keynote of a Gregorian mode, and hence the final note of any conventional melody played in that mode.

Derived terms

Descendants

  • → Japanese: ファイナル (fainaru)
  • → Korean: 파이널 (paineol)
  • → Swahili: fainali

Translations

The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables. See instructions at Wiktionary:Entry layout § Translations.

Adjective

final (comparative more final, superlative most final)

  1. Last; ultimate.
    final solution;   the final day of a school term
  2. Conclusive; decisive.
    a final judgment;   the battle of Waterloo brought the contest to a final issue
  3. Respecting an end or object to be gained; respecting the purpose or ultimate end in view.
  4. (grammar) Expressing purpose; as in the term final clause.
  5. (linguistics) Word-final; occurring at the end of a word.
    • 1892, Walter Besant, “Prologue: Who is Edmund Gray?”, in The Ivory Gate […], New York, N.Y.: Harper & Brothers, […], →OCLC:
      Thus, when he drew up instructions in lawyer language, he expressed the important words by an initial, a medial, or a final consonant, and made scratches for all the words between; his clerks, however, understood him very well.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Derived terms

Derived terms

Translations

The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables. See instructions at Wiktionary:Entry layout § Translations.

Verb

final (third-person singular simple present finals, present participle (US) finaling or (UK) finalling, simple past and past participle (US) finaled or (UK) finalled)

  1. (intransitive, sports, colloquial) To qualify for the final round of a competition.
    Mike finalled in both the 400 meter and the 800 meter races.
    • 2007 January 30, Archive Team, “A Day in the Life: Dennis Baker, Day 1”, in Swimming World‎[2], archived from the original on 10 October 2026:
      Early in his swimming career, Baker finaled in the 200 fly at both the 1980 and 1984 Olympic Trials and was a two-time Pacific 10 Champion in the event for the University of Arizona.
    • 2009 October 5, Archive Team, “Swimming World Six Star Kasey Carlson Makes College Pledge”, in Swimming World‎[3], archived from the original on 23 August 2026:
      Last year, Carlson would have A finaled in the 100-yard breast (58.75) and B finaled in the 200-yard breast (2:09.66).
    • 2011 September 1, Harry Pearson, “London 2012 can legacy by verbing the noun”, in Alan Rusbridger, editor, The Guardian‎[4], London: Guardian News & Media, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 20 October 2026:
      Vocab-wise, medalling and PB-ing are now totally part-and-parcelled, and most experts in South Korea believe podiumed, finalled and all-comered are not far off lexiconing.
    • 2021 January 17, Chandler Brandes, “UNC Snags Verbal from Sprinter Tyler Roberton of Tampa Bay Aquatics for 2022-23”, in Swimming World‎[5], archived from the original on 11 September 2026:
      In Summer 2019, he finaled in a pair of events at Gainesville Sectionals before going on to take 22nd in the 100m and 200m free at Greensboro Futures.

See also

Terms etymologically related to the adjective or noun final

Further reading

Anagrams

Catalan

Etymology

From Latin fīnālis.

Pronunciation

Adjective

final m or f (masculine and feminine plural finals)

  1. final
    Synonyms: darrer, últim

Derived terms

Noun

final m (plural finals)

  1. end (last point or moment of something)
    Synonym: fi
  2. finale (chronological conclusion of a series of narrative works)

Derived terms

Noun

final f (plural finals)

  1. (sports, competitions) final, final round

Derived terms

Further reading

Chinese

Etymology

From English final.

Pronunciation


Noun

final

  1. final; final examination

Crimean Tatar

Etymology

From Italian finale, from Latin fīnālis, from fīnis (“end”).

Noun

final

  1. a final

Declension

Declension of final
nominative final
genitive finalnıñ
dative finalğa
accusative finalnı
locative finalda
ablative finaldan

Adjective

final

  1. final

References

  • Mirjejev, V. A.; Usejinov, S. M. (2002), Ukrajinsʹko-krymsʹkotatarsʹkyj slovnyk [Ukrainian – Crimean Tatar Dictionary]‎[6], Simferopol: Dolya, →ISBN

French

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /fi.nal/

Etymology 1

From Latin fīnālis.

Adjective

final (feminine finale, masculine plural finals or finaux, feminine plural finales)

  1. final (last)
  2. (linguistics, grammar) expressing purpose
Usage notes
  • Both finals and finaux exist as masculine plural forms, with finals being more common. Finaux is avoided when referring to persons, to avoid homonymy with the potentially insulting adjective finauds (“cunning”). [7]
Derived terms
Descendants

Etymology 2

Semantic loan from Italian finale.

Noun

final m (plural finals)

  1. (music) finale
    Synonym: finale

Further reading

German

Etymology

18th century, from Latin finālis, perhaps in part through French final. Recently revived to some degree by influence of English final.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /fiˈnaːl/
  • Rhymes: -aːl
  • Audio (Germany (Berlin)):(file)

Adjective

final (strong nominative masculine singular finaler, not comparable)

  1. (grammar) final, expressing purpose
  2. (higher register) final, conclusive, irrevocable (that which will not or cannot be changed anymore, sometimes implying death)
    Synonyms: endgültig, abschließend, unwiderruflich, entscheidend, letztlich
    der finale Wortlaut der Verträge ― the final wording of the contracts
    das finale Krankheitsstadium ― the final stage of the illness
    finaler Rettungsschuss ― deadly force (literally, “final [i.e. lethal] rescue shot”)
    • 2020, Max-Emanuel Geis, Kommunalrecht. Ein Studienbuch, 5th edition, München: C.H. Beck, →ISBN, Sect. 3 Rn. 44, page 20:
      In Mecklenburg-Vorpommern wurde, auch aus Gründen der dünnen Besiedelung, die noch deutlich drastischere Reduzierung von zwölf auf sechs Landkreise und die Umwandlung von vier der sechs kreisfreien Städte zu Kreisstädten im Jahr 2011 durchgeführt. Auch hier blieben entsprechende Landesverfassungsbeschwerden final erfolglos.
      (please add an English translation of this quotation)
  3. (rare, pompous, chiefly anglicism) final, last
    Synonym: letzter
    die finalen Minuten vor dem großen Auftritt ― the final minutes before the big gig

Declension

Positive forms of final (uncomparable)
number & gender singular plural
masculine feminine neuter
predicative er ist final sie ist final es ist final sie sind final
strong declension
(without article)
nominative finaler finale finales finale
genitive finalen finaler finalen finaler
dative finalem finaler finalem finalen
accusative finalen finale finales finale
weak declension
(with definite article)
nominative der finale die finale das finale die finalen
genitive des finalen der finalen des finalen der finalen
dative dem finalen der finalen dem finalen den finalen
accusative den finalen die finale das finale die finalen
mixed declension
(with indefinite article)
nominative ein finaler eine finale ein finales (keine) finalen
genitive eines finalen einer finalen eines finalen (keiner) finalen
dative einem finalen einer finalen einem finalen (keinen) finalen
accusative einen finalen eine finale ein finales (keine) finalen

Haitian Creole

Etymology

From French final (“final”).

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /final/

Adjective

final

  1. final

Indonesian

Etymology

Borrowed from Dutch finaal, from Middle French final, ultimately from Late Latin fīnālis.

Pronunciation

Noun

final (plural final-final)

  1. Finale; a final conclusion, an end.

Adjective

final (comparative lebih final, superlative paling final)

  1. Final; latest, last, ultimate.
    Synonym: terakhir

Further reading

Italian

Adjective

final (apocopated)

  1. apocopic form of finale

Noun

final m

  1. apocopic form of finale

Anagrams

Ladin

Adjective

final m (feminine singular finala, masculine plural finai, feminine plural finales)

  1. final

Old French

Etymology

    Derived from Latin fīnālis.

    Adjective

    final m (feminine finale)

    1. final, definitive, last

    Declension

    Case masculine feminine neuter
    singular subject finaus finale final
    oblique final finale final
    plural subject final finales final
    oblique finaus finales final

    Descendants

    Portuguese

    Etymology

    Borrowed from Late Latin fīnālis, from fīnis. By surface analysis, fim +‎ -al.

    Pronunciation

    • (Brazil) IPA(key): /fiˈnaw/ [fiˈnaʊ̯]
     
    • (Portugal) IPA(key): /fiˈnal/ [fiˈnaɫ]
      • (Southern Portugal) IPA(key): /fiˈna.li/

    • Audio (Portugal (Porto)):(file)
    • Rhymes: -al, -aw
    • Hyphenation: fi‧nal

    Adjective

    final m or f (plural finais)

    1. final, ultimate, last
      Synonyms: derradeiro, último
      • 2013, Marcio Arribabenne, F(r) - A lógica da resolução das questões usando apenas multiplicação e divisão, Clube dos Autores, →ISBN, page 85:
        Seguindo o conceito de fração, calculamos 1/3 de 900, tendo como resultado a quantidade de 300 livros. Logo depois, calculamos 1/5 de 300 e obtemos a resposta final, de 60 livros. Lembrando que um terço e um quinto são sinônimos, respectivamente, de terça parte e quinta parte. Podemos escrever, matematicamente, que: 1/3 de 900 = 900:3 = 300 ==> 1/5 de 300 = 300:5 = 60.
        (please add an English translation of this quotation)

    Derived terms

    Noun

    final m (plural finais)

    1. end, ending
      Synonyms: fim, término
      • 2006, Editora Sinodal, Celebrar Natal em família e comunidade, →ISBN, page 32:
        Participar de um amigo secreto realmente é bastante divertido, principalmente quando a turma é animada. Porém, no final da brincadeira, ganhar algo que não agrada pode ser decepcionante.
        (please add an English translation of this quotation)

    Noun

    final f (plural finais)

    1. (sports) final

    Further reading

    Romanian

    Etymology

    Borrowed from French final, from Latin finalis. By surface analysis, fine +‎ -al.

    Adjective

    final m or n (feminine singular finală, masculine plural finali, feminine/neuter plural finale)

    1. final

    Declension

    Declension of final
    singular plural
    masculine neuter feminine masculine neuter feminine
    nominative-
    accusative
    indefinite final finală finali finale
    definite finalul finala finalii finalele
    genitive-
    dative
    indefinite final finale finali finale
    definite finalului finalei finalilor finalelor

    Derived terms

    Serbo-Croatian

    Noun

    final m inan (Cyrillic spelling финал)

    1. (linguistics) final (last letter of word)
    2. (sports) final

    Declension

    Declension of final
    singular plural
    nominative final finali
    genitive finala finala
    dative finalu finalima
    accusative final finale
    vocative finale finali
    locative finalom finalima
    instrumental finalu finalima

    Spanish

    Etymology

      From Latin fīnālis, from fīnis (“end; boundary, limit”) + -ālis. By surface analysis, fin + -al.

      Pronunciation

      • IPA(key): /fiˈnal/ [fiˈnal]
      • Audio (Colombia):(file)
      • Rhymes: -al
      • Syllabification: fi‧nal

      Adjective

      final m or f (masculine and feminine plural finales, superlative finalísimo)

      1. final (last, ultimate)
        Synonym: último
      2. final (conclusive, decisive)
        Synonym: concluyente

      Derived terms

      Noun

      final m (plural finales)

      1. end (the terminal point of something in space or time)
        Synonyms: fin, término

      Derived terms

      Noun

      final f (plural finales)

      1. (also sports) final (the last round, game or match in a contest, after which the winner is determined)

      Derived terms

      Further reading

      Swedish

      Pronunciation

      • IPA(key): /fɪˈnɑːl/

      Etymology 1

      Borrowed from Italian finale and French final from Latin finālis, from fīnis + -ālis.

      Noun

      final c

      1. a finale
      Declension

      Adjective

      final (not comparable)

      1. (grammar) final, expressing purpose
      Declension
      Inflection of final
      Indefinite positive comparative superlative1
      common singular final mer final mest final
      neuter singular finalt mer finalt mest finalt
      plural finala mer finala mest finala
      masculine plural2 finale mer finala mest finala
      Definite positive comparative superlative
      masculine singular3 finale mer finale mest finale
      all finala mer finala mest finala

      1 The indefinite superlative forms are only used in the predicative.
      2 Dated or archaic.
      3 Only used, optionally, to refer to things whose natural gender is masculine.

      Etymology 2

      Borrowed from English final.

      Noun

      final c

      1. (sports) a final
      Declension
      Derived terms

      See also

      Anagrams

      Turkish

      Etymology

        Borrowed from French final.

        Pronunciation

        • IPA(key): /fiˈnal/
        • Hyphenation: fi‧nal

        Noun

        final (definite accusative finali, plural finaller)

        1. the end
        2. (education) the final exam
        3. (music) finale
        4. (sports) in tournaments: the last contest

        Declension

        Declension of final
        singular plural
        nominative final finaller
        definite accusative finali finalleri
        dative finale finallere
        locative finalde finallerde
        ablative finalden finallerden
        genitive finalin finallerin
        Possessive forms
        nominative
        singular plural
        1st singular finalim finallerim
        2nd singular finalin finallerin
        3rd singular finali finalleri
        1st plural finalimiz finallerimiz
        2nd plural finaliniz finalleriniz
        3rd plural finalleri finalleri
        definite accusative
        singular plural
        1st singular finalimi finallerimi
        2nd singular finalini finallerini
        3rd singular finalini finallerini
        1st plural finalimizi finallerimizi
        2nd plural finalinizi finallerinizi
        3rd plural finallerini finallerini
        dative
        singular plural
        1st singular finalime finallerime
        2nd singular finaline finallerine
        3rd singular finaline finallerine
        1st plural finalimize finallerimize
        2nd plural finalinize finallerinize
        3rd plural finallerine finallerine
        locative
        singular plural
        1st singular finalimde finallerimde
        2nd singular finalinde finallerinde
        3rd singular finalinde finallerinde
        1st plural finalimizde finallerimizde
        2nd plural finalinizde finallerinizde
        3rd plural finallerinde finallerinde
        ablative
        singular plural
        1st singular finalimden finallerimden
        2nd singular finalinden finallerinden
        3rd singular finalinden finallerinden
        1st plural finalimizden finallerimizden
        2nd plural finalinizden finallerinizden
        3rd plural finallerinden finallerinden
        genitive
        singular plural
        1st singular finalimin finallerimin
        2nd singular finalinin finallerinin
        3rd singular finalinin finallerinin
        1st plural finalimizin finallerimizin
        2nd plural finalinizin finallerinizin
        3rd plural finallerinin finallerinin

        Derived terms