last1
verb/lɑːst/
/læst/
Verb Forms
| present simple I / you / we / they last | /lɑːst/ /læst/ |
| he / she / it lasts | /lɑːsts/ /læsts/ |
| past simple lasted | /ˈlɑːstɪd/ /ˈlæstɪd/ |
| past participle lasted | /ˈlɑːstɪd/ /ˈlæstɪd/ |
| -ing form lasting | /ˈlɑːstɪŋ/ /ˈlæstɪŋ/ |
- [intransitive] (not used in the progressive tenses) to continue for a particular period of time
- Each game lasts about an hour.
- How long does the play last?
- Nothing lasts forever.
- last for something The meeting only lasted for a few minutes.
- last until something The trial is expected to last until the end of the week.
Extra ExamplesTopics Timea2- The flight seemed to last forever.
- The war lasted for three years.
- The effort began in November and lasted through February.
- The storm could last quite a long time.
- a bruise that was sure to last for days
- The celebrations lasted well into the next week.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- long
- well
- forever
- …
- can
- will
- be likely to
- …
- for
- into
- through
- …
- while something lasts
Definitions on the go
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- [intransitive, transitive] to continue to exist or to function well
- This weather won't last.
- Our product looks better and lasts longer.
- He's making a big effort now, and I hope it lasts.
- while something lasts It was fun while it lasted.
- last somebody These shoes should last you till next year.
Extra Examples- The kids are all very enthusiastic, but it won't last—it never does.
- The good weather couldn't last.
- This type of happiness rarely lasts.
- Happiness never lasts.
- I always thought his popularity was unlikely to last.
- Interest rates are at their lowest level for a decade. I suggest you enjoy it while it lasts.
- Make the most of this feeling while it lasts.
- This house was built to last.
- Your car will last longer if you look after it.
- Even when cut, the flowers last very well.
- With care, the vines will last indefinitely.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- long
- well
- forever
- …
- can
- will
- be likely to
- …
- for
- into
- through
- …
- while something lasts
- [intransitive, transitive] to survive something or manage to stay in the same situation, despite difficulties
- She won't last long in that job.
- last out Can you last out until I can get help?
- last something He was injured early on and didn't last the match.
- last out something Doctors say that she probably won't last out the night (= she will probably die before the morning).
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- long
- well
- forever
- …
- can
- will
- be likely to
- …
- for
- into
- through
- …
- while something lasts
- [intransitive, transitive] to be enough for somebody to use, especially for a particular period of time
- last out Will the coffee last out till next week?
- last somebody We’ve got enough food to last us (for) three days.
- last (+ adv./prep.) She hoped they had enough firewood to last through the night.
- Get your free sample while supplies last!
Which Word? last / takelast / takeLast and take are both used to talk about the length of time that something continues.- Last is used to talk about the length of time that an event continues:
- How long do you think this storm will last?
- The movie lasted over two hours.
- His annoyance won’t last.
- The money she gave us should last until next week.
- Take is used to talk about the amount of time you need in order to go somewhere or do something. It must be used with an expression of time:
- It takes (me) at least an hour to get home from work.
- How long will the flight take?
- The water took ages to boil.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- long
- well
- forever
- …
- can
- will
- be likely to
- …
- for
- into
- through
- …
- while something lasts
Word Originverb Old English lǣstan, of Germanic origin, related to German leisten ‘afford, yield’, also to last2
Check pronunciation:
last1