last applies to something that comes at the end of a series but does not always imply that the series is completed or stopped.
last page of a book
last news we had of him
final applies to that which definitely closes a series, process, or progress.
final day of school
terminal may indicate a limit of extension, growth, or development.
terminal phase of a disease
ultimate implies the last degree or stage of a long process beyond which further progress or change is impossible.
the ultimate collapse of the system
Examples of last in a Sentence
Verb (1)
we were lucky that the batteries lasted until we could get to the store to buy more
this heavy drought has lasted all summer Adjective
He was the last one out of the building.
She succeeded on her last attempt.
These are the last two books in the series.
We are going to the beach for the last week of the summer.
the last cookie in the jar
She said she wouldn't marry him if he was the last man on earth.
He was tragically killed during the last days of the war.
I haven't seen her recently. The last time we met was at a party. Adverb
He spoke last at the meeting.
My horse was last in the race.
She was first to arrive at the party and last to leave.
I last saw him in the supermarket.
They last went to the beach in June.
This word was last used in the 17th century.
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Verb
The color itself lasts all day—depositing flawless color wherever it’s placed.—
Laura Sandroni,
Vogue,
31 Aug. 2026 It was meant to be a deliberate attempt to commit commercial suicide to have a legacy that would maybe get a following that would last with you, as opposed to being a disposable pop act, which the record company really wanted to change us into.—
Lily Moayeri,
SPIN,
31 Aug. 2026
Adjective
Williams had six catches for 127 yards, with his last two receptions going for touchdowns of 29 yards and 43 yards.—
Matt Le Cren,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Aug. 2026 King Charles, who hosted Harry, Meghan and their children for afternoon tea last month, has decided to give Harry another chance.—
The Week Uk,
TheWeek,
28 Aug. 2026
Adverb
The pair collaborated on the track for the band’s third studio album Take the Sadness Out of Saturday Night, and last performed it together in 2020 during a live performance recorded on the rooftop of Electric Lady Studios in New York City.—
Charisma Madarang,
Rolling Stone,
29 Aug. 2026 Their phones last pinged that morning near a bridge that washed away.—
Freddie Clayton,
NBC news,
29 Aug. 2026
Noun
Minson said one key clue is the amount of time the shaking lasts.—
Rick Hurd,
Mercury News,
13 Aug. 2026 The nonprofit last reported an annual revenue of roughly $89 million.—
Audrey McGlinchy,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for last
Word History
Etymology
Verb (1)
Middle English, from Old English lǣstan to last, follow; akin to Old English lāst footprint
Adverb
Middle English, from Old English latost, superlative of læt late
Noun (2)
Middle English, from Old English lǣste, from lāst footprint; akin to Old High German leist shoemaker's last, Latin lira furrow — more at learn