last
/lɑːst/ IELTSAcademic
adjective
Coming at the end of a period, group, or series. It can also mean the only one left after others are gone.
- We met on the last day of school.
- She was the last person to leave.
- That was my last chance.
verb
To continue for a certain length of time. It can also mean to survive or remain usable.
- The meeting lasted two hours.
- This battery lasts all day.
- How long will the food last?
adverb
Used after a series to mean in the final position or at the end.
- She spoke last.
- I chose last.
- He arrived last.
Adinary Nuance
Last is broader than final. Use last for time order, remaining things, or duration; use final when you want a more formal or definite tone. In speech, last is much more common and natural.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- cuối cùng
- Spanish
- último
- Chinese
- 最后
- Japanese
- 最後の
- Korean
- 마지막
Etymology
Old English last, meaning 'following' or 'endmost.' It has stayed close to that basic idea for centuries.
Common phrases
last weeklast timelast but oneat last
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between last and final?
- Last is more common in everyday English. Final sounds a little more formal, especially in writing.
- Can last mean 'continue'?
- Yes. You can say "The meeting lasted an hour" or "The battery lasts long."
- Is last used before or after the noun?
- Usually before the noun: "the last train." As an adverb, it comes after the verb: "She arrived last."