- the person or thing that comes or happens after all other similar people or things
- Sorry I'm late—am I the last?
- They were the last to arrive.
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- last of something the only part or items that remain of something
- These are the last of our apples.
- We finished the last of the milk at breakfast.
- the last[singular] the latest
- That was the last I heard of him.
- the lastthe least likely
- Known for their self-sufficiency, fishermen would be the last to admit to mental strain.
Word Originnoun Old English latost (adverb) ‘after all others in a series’, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch laatst, lest and German letzt, also to late.
Idioms
See last in the Oxford Advanced American Dictionaryat (long) last
- after much delay, effort, etc.; in the end synonym finally
- At last we're home!
- At long last the package arrived.
Which Word? lastly / at lastlastly / at last- Lastly is used to introduce the last in a list of things or the final point you are making:
- Lastly, I would like to thank my parents for all their support.
- At last is used when something happens after a long time, especially when there has been some difficulty or delay:
- At last, after twenty hours on the boat, they arrived at their destination.
breathe your last
- (literary) to die
from first to last
- from beginning to end; during the whole time
- It's a fine performance that commands attention from first to last.
hear/see the last of somebody/something
- to hear/see somebody/something for the last time
- That was the last I ever saw of her.
- Unfortunately, I don't think we've heard the last of this affair.
the last I heard
- used to give the most recent news you have about somebody/something
- The last I heard he was still working at the garage.
next/second to last
(British English also last but one)
- the one before the last one
- She finished second to last.
to/till the last
- until the last possible moment, especially until death
- He died protesting his innocence to the last.
Check pronunciation:
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