final Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the final match between the winners of all previous matches in an elimination tournament
  2. noun an examination administered at the end of an academic term
    final examination; final exam.
  3. adjective satellite occurring at or forming an end or termination
    concluding; terminal; last.
    • his concluding words came as a surprise
    • the final chapter
    • the last days of the dinosaurs
    • terminal leave
  4. adjective satellite conclusive in a process or progression
    net; last.
    • the final answer
    • a last resort
    • the net result
  5. adjective satellite not to be altered or undone
    last.
    • the judge's decision is final
    • the arbiter will have the last say

WordNet

Fi"nal adjective
Etymology
F., fr. L. finalis, fr. finis boundary, limit, end. See Finish.
Definitions
  1. Pertaining to the end or conclusion; last; terminating; ultimate; as, the final day of a school term.
    Yet despair not of his final pardon. Milton.
  2. Conclusive; decisive; as, 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. Syn. -- Final, Conclusive, Ultimate. Final is now appropriated to that which brings with it an end; as, a final adjustment; the final judgment, etc. Conclusive implies the closing of all discussion, negotiation, etc.; as, a conclusive argument or fact; a conclusive arrangement. In using ultimate, we have always reference to something earlier or proceeding; as when we say, a temporary reverse may lead to an ultimate triumph. The statements which a man finally makes at the close of a negotiation are usually conclusive as to his ultimate intentions and designs.

Webster 1913