Last Definition and Meaning
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Published on March 20, 2024
"Last" refers to coming after all others in time, sequence, or order. e.g., She arrived last at the meeting.
Table of Contents
Last Definitions
Final in a series or sequence.
He answered the last question correctly.
Most recent in time.
I saw her last week.
Ultimate in an argument or discussion.
Her point was the last word in the debate.
Remaining after others are gone or dealt with.
Take the last piece of cake.
Least likely or expected.
He's the last person I'd suspect.
Lowest in rank or importance.
He finished last in the race.
Signifying the end of a list or series.
And last, but not least, thank you to my fans.
Enduring or continuing for a long duration.
The lecture seemed to last forever.
Used to emphasize a definitive statement.
That's the last thing I needed!
In the most recent position or place.
The last chapter of the book is thrilling.
Being, coming, or placed after all others; final
The last game of the season.
Being the only one left
His last nickel.
As a last resort.
Just past; most recent
Last year.
The last time I checked.
Most up-to-date; newest
The last thing in swimwear.
Highest in extent or degree; utmost
To the last measure of human endurance.
Most valid, authoritative, or conclusive
The arbiter will have the last say in resolving this dispute.
Least likely or expected
The last person we would have suspected.
The least desirable or suitable
The last man for the job.
Being the latest possible
Waited until the last second before boarding the train.
Lowest in rank or importance
Last prize.
Last place.
Used as an intensive
Every last dollar was donated to charity.
Of or relating to a terminal period or stage, as of life
The last days of the dinosaurs.
Administered just before death
The last sacraments.
After all others in chronology or sequence
Arrived last.
Most recently
A fashion last popular in the 1940s.
At the end; finally
Add the butter last.
One that is at the end or last
The last to be chosen.
On every page but the last.
The end
Held out until the last.
The final mention or appearance
Haven't seen the last of our troubles.
A block or form shaped like a human foot and used in making or repairing shoes.
A unit of volume or weight varying for different commodities and in different districts, equal to about 80 bushels, 640 gallons, or 2 tons.
To continue in time; go on
The war lasted four years.
To continue; survive
The patient is not expected to last much longer.
To remain in good or usable condition
Produce lasts longer if it is refrigerated. I wanted a car that would last.
To continue in force or practice
Wondered if the marriage would last.
To remain in adequate supply
Will our water last?.
To keep adequately supplied
Left enough bread to last the family for the weekend.
To persist or endure for the entire length of; survive
Hoped to last the season without injuring her leg again.
To mold or shape on a last.
Final, ultimate, coming after all others of its kind.
“Eyes Wide Shut” was the last film to be directed by Stanley Kubrick.
Most recent, latest, last so far.
The last time I saw him, he was married.
I have received your note dated the 17th last, and am responding to say that...}}.
Farthest of all from a given quality, character, or condition; most unlikely, or least preferable.
He is the last person to be accused of theft.
The last person I want to meet is Helen.
More rain is the last thing we need right now.
Being the only one remaining of its class.
Japan is the last empire.
Supreme; highest in degree; utmost.
Lowest in rank or degree.
The last prize
The (one) immediately before the present.
We went there last year.
I was last to arrive.
(of days of the week or months of the year) Closest in the past, or closest but one if the closest was very recent; of days, sometimes thought to specifically refer to the instance closest to seven days (one week) ago, or the most recent instance before seven days (one week) ago.
It's Wednesday, and the party was last Tuesday; that is, not yesterday, but eight days ago.
When you say last Monday, do you mean the Monday just gone, or the one before that?
Most recently.
When we last met, he was based in Toronto.
(sequence) after everything else; finally
I'll go last as I have to add the butter last.
Last but not least
To perform, carry out.
(intransitive) To endure, continue over time.
Summer seems to last longer each year.
They seem happy now, but that won't last long.
(intransitive) To hold out, continue undefeated or entire.
I don't know how much longer we can last without reinforcements.
To shape with a last; to fasten or fit to a last; to place smoothly on a last.
To last a boot
A tool for shaping or preserving the shape of shoes.
(obsolete) A burden; load; a cargo; freight.
(obsolete) A measure of weight or quantity, varying in designation depending on the goods concerned.
(obsolete) An old English (and Dutch) measure of the carrying capacity of a ship, equal to two tons.
A load of some commodity with reference to its weight and commercial value.
Of Last, to endure, contracted from lasteth.
Being after all the others, similarly classed or considered, in time, place, or order of succession; following all the rest; final; hindmost; farthest; as, the last year of a century; the last man in a line of soldiers; the last page in a book; his last chance.
Also day by day, from the first day unto the last day, he read in the book of the law of God.
Fairest of stars, last in the train of night.
Next before the present; as, I saw him last week.
Supreme; highest in degree; utmost.
Contending for principles of the last importance.
Lowest in rank or degree; as, the a last place finish.
Farthest of all from a given quality, character, or condition; most unlikely; having least fitness; as, he is the last person to be accused of theft.
And blunder on in business to the last.
At a time or on an occasion which is the latest of all those spoken of or which have occurred; the last time; as, I saw him last in New York.
In conclusion; finally; lastly.
Pleased with his idol, he commends, admires,Adores; and, last, the thing adored desires.
At a time next preceding the present time.
How long is't now since last yourself and IWere in a mask ?
To continue in time; to endure; to remain in existence.
[I] proffered me to be slave in all that she me would ordain while my life lasted.
To endure use, or continue in existence, without impairment or exhaustion; as, this cloth lasts better than that; the fuel will last through the winter.
To shape with a last; to fasten or fit to a last; to place smoothly on a last; as, to last a boot.
A wooden block shaped like the human foot, on which boots and shoes are formed.
The cobbler is not to go beyond his last.
A load; a heavy burden; hence, a certain weight or measure, generally estimated at 4,000 lbs., but varying for different articles and in different countries. In England, a last of codfish, white herrings, meal, or ashes, is twelve barrels; a last of corn, ten quarters, or eighty bushels, in some parts of England, twenty-one quarters; of gunpowder, twenty-four barrels, each containing 100 lbs; of red herrings, twenty cades, or 20,000; of hides, twelve dozen; of leather, twenty dickers; of pitch and tar, fourteen barrels; of wool, twelve sacks; of flax or feathers, 1,700 lbs.
The burden of a ship; a cargo.
The temporal end; the concluding time;
The stopping point of each round was signaled by a bell
The market was up at the finish
They were playing better at the close of the season
The last or lowest in an ordering or series;
He was the last to leave
He finished an inglorious last
A person's dying act; the last thing a person can do;
He breathed his last
The time at which life ends; continuing until dead;
She stayed until his death
A struggle to the last
A unit of weight equal to 4,000 pounds
A unit of capacity for grain equal to 80 bushels
The concluding parts of an event or occurrence;
The end was exciting
I had to miss the last of the movie
Holding device shaped like a human foot that is used to fashion or repair shoes
Persist or be long; in time;
The bad weather lasted for three days
Continue to live; endure or last;
We went without water and food for 3 days
These superstitions survive in the backwaters of America
The racecar driver lived through several very serious accidents
Immediately past;
Last Thursday
The last chapter we read
Coming after all others in time or space or degree or being the only one remaining;
The last time I saw Paris
The last day of the month
Had the last word
Waited until the last minute
He raised his voice in a last supreme call
The last game of the season
Down to his last nickel
Going from sitting to standing without intermediate pushes with the hands
Intermediate stages in a process
Intermediate stops on the route
An intermediate level
Occurring at or forming an end or termination;
His concluding words came as a surprise
The final chapter
The last days of the dinosaurs
Terminal leave
Conclusive in a process or progression;
The final answer
A last resort
The net result
Most unlikely or unsuitable;
The last person we would have suspected
The last man they would have chosen for the job
Occurring at the time of death;
His last words
The last rites
Not to be altered or undone;
The judge's decision is final
The arbiter will have the last say
Lowest in rank or importance;
Last prize
In last place
Highest in extent or degree;
To the last measure of human endurance
Whether they were accomplices in the last degree or a lesser one was...to be determined individually
In accord with the most fashionable ideas or style;
Wears only the latest style
The last thing in swimwear
Knows the newest dances
Cutting-edge technology
A with-it boutique
More recently than any other time;
I saw him last in London
The item at the end;
Last, I'll discuss family values
Last Snonyms
Final
Coming at the end of a series.
Her final performance was her best.
Terminal
Relating to the end or extremity of something.
The terminal station is the last stop on the train line.
Concluding
Marking the end of a process or event.
The concluding chapter wraps up the story neatly.
Ultimate
Being the last in a sequence, but also the best or most extreme.
The ultimate decision rests with the president.
Latest
Most recent or current.
The latest fashion trends are very colorful.
End
The part of an area that lies at the boundary.
He lives at the end of the street.
Finalist
A person or thing that makes it to the last round of a competition.
The finalists in the competition were very talented.
Ending
The last part or section of something.
The movie's ending was unexpected.
Recent
Having happened or developed just before now.
In her most recent job, she worked as an editor.
Latter
Referring to the second of two things or persons mentioned.
Of the two options, I prefer the latter.
Last Idioms & Phrases
The last straw
The final problem in a series of problems that finally causes one to become very upset.
The extra workload was the last straw for her.
At last
Finally, after a long wait.
At last, the bus arrived.
To have the last laugh
To ultimately emerge victorious or vindicated, after initially being in a position of weakness.
Despite the criticism, he had the last laugh when his invention succeeded.
Last in, first out
A policy of dealing with things in the reverse order that they arrived.
In layoffs, the company followed a last in, first out policy.
Last but not least
Signifying that the final person or thing mentioned is no less important than those introduced before.
And last but not least, we have our wonderful director to thank.
Last-ditch effort
A final attempt, made with all possible effort, usually to avoid defeat or failure.
He made a last-ditch effort to finish the project on time.
On its last legs
Near the end of its usefulness or existence.
My old car is on its last legs.
The last word
The final decision or authority.
In our household, my mom always has the last word.
Make it last
To use something sparingly so it lasts for a long time.
We need to make our supplies last until help arrives.
Last hurrah
A final appearance or effort, especially at the end of a career.
The tour was the singer's last hurrah before retiring.
To last the distance
To endure or continue to the end of a race, competition, or challenge.
It was tough, but she lasted the distance.
To the last drop
Completely; until nothing remains.
He enjoyed his coffee to the last drop.
Last rites
The final religious ceremony given to a person before death.
The priest performed the last rites.
Last man standing
The only remaining person in a competition or conflict.
After a tough competition, he was the last man standing.
For the last time
Used to emphasize that something is being done or said for the final time.
For the last time, clean your room!
In the last place
Used to state a reason for not doing something.
I wouldn’t go there in the last place because it's too crowded.
The last thing one needs
Something absolutely not needed or wanted.
Another bill is the last thing I need right now.
From first to last
From the beginning to the end.
She was involved in the project from first to last.
Take a last look at
To look at something for the final time.
He took a last look at his childhood home before moving out.
Last Example Sentences
This is the last chance to submit your application.
They made a last-minute decision to travel.
She checked her email one last time before leaving.
I had the last slice of pizza for lunch.
This is your last warning.
They lived happily to their last days.
He was the last to know about the surprise party.
The last thing she said to me was "goodbye."
This is the last model available in the store.
She was the last person I expected to see there.
The movie lasted three hours.
He finished last in the competition.
We need to make this food last through the week.
He always wants to have the last word in any argument.
Common Curiosities
How many syllables are in "last"?
There is 1 syllable in "last."
What is a stressed syllable in "last"?
The entire word "last" is stressed, as it is a one-syllable word.
Why is it called "last"?
It is called "last" because it derives from Old English "læst," meaning "after all others in time or order."
How is "last" used in a sentence?
"Last" is used to denote the final item or person in a sequence or the most recent occurrence. e.g., He arrived last at the party.
What is the verb form of "last"?
The verb form of "last" is "last," meaning to endure or continue over time. e.g., The meeting lasted two hours.
How do we divide "last" into syllables?
"Last" is a single syllable word, so it is not divided.
What is the root word of "last"?
The root of "last" is from Old English "læst," meaning "after all others in time or order."
Is "last" an abstract noun?
As a noun, "last" is not typically considered abstract because it often refers to the final item in a tangible sequence.
What is the pronunciation of "last"?
"Last" is pronounced as /læst/.
What is the first form of "last"?
The first form is "last," as in He always arrives last.
What is another term for "last"?
Another term for "last" is "final."
Is "last" a noun or adjective?
"Last" can be both a noun and an adjective, depending on context.
What part of speech is "last"?
"Last" can be an adjective, noun, adverb, or verb depending on its use in a sentence.
Is "last" an adverb?
Yes, "last" can function as an adverb. e.g., He arrived last.
Is "last" a negative or positive word?
"Last" is neutral; its positive or negative connotation depends on context.
Is "last" a countable noun?
As a noun, "last" can be countable in specific contexts, such as "lasts" in shoe-making. Generally, it's used in an uncountable sense.
Is "last" a collective noun?
No, "last" is not a collective noun.
Is the word "last" imperative?
"Last" can be used in imperative sentences depending on its role, especially as a verb. e.g., "Last through the night."
Which vowel is used before "last"?
The vowel sound before "last" depends on the preceding word. No specific vowel is always used before it.
What is the singular form of "last"?
The singular form is "last."
What is the plural form of "last"?
The word "last" does not have a plural form when used as an adjective or adverb. As a noun, it's context-specific, e.g., "lasts" when referring to multiple final positions.
Is the word “last” a Direct object or an Indirect object?
"Last" can be a direct object when used as a noun. e.g., "I prefer the last."
Which determiner is used with "last"?
Determiners like "the" or possessive pronouns (my, your, etc.) can be used with "last." e.g., "The last time."
Which preposition is used with "last"?
Prepositions such as "for" and "since" are often used with "last." e.g., "last for hours," "last since yesterday."
Which conjunction is used with "last"?
Conjunctions like "and" can be used with "last" when listing items. e.g., "First, second, and last."
What is the second form of "last"?
The second form is "lasted," as in the past tense. e.g., The play lasted two hours.
What is the third form of "last"?
The third form is also "lasted," used as the past participle. e.g., The battery has lasted three years.
What is the opposite of "last"?
The opposite of "last" is "first."
Is "last" a vowel or consonant?
The word "last" begins with a consonant.
Is the "last" term a metaphor?
"Last" can be used metaphorically, depending on context.
Is the word "last" Gerund?
No, "last" itself is not a gerund. Its gerund form would be "lasting."
Which article is used with "last"?
The definite article "the" is commonly used with "last." e.g., "The last time we met."
Share Your Discovery
Previous Term
Nice Definition and Meaning
Next Term
High Definition and MeaningAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
