final

The word "final" is often used as an adjective when describing a thing that is last, or people come to the end of a process.

• Today is the final day of the year. Tomorrow is a new year.
• After thinking long and hard about the situation, Rosa made her final decision.
• The final mile of the race was the most challenging for the runners.
• After a week of negotiations, management made its final offer.
• Is that your final answer?
• This feels so final.
• This is final. We can’t go back.

The word "finally" is an adverb. Use "finally" when something concludes.

• The party finally ended at three o’clock in the morning.
• The newspaper has finally arrived. I’ve been waiting all morning.
• Robert finally asked his girlfriend to marry him after six years of courtship.
• Finally! They’re finished.

He finally graduated!

The word "finalize" is a verb. It means to make something final.

• They finalized the agreement with a handshake.
• The report was finalized by a team of accountants.

When "final" is used as a noun, it’s usually in reference to a test or a qualifying event:

• Victoria has finals in three of her classes this week.
• The final was very difficult.
• The final will determine almost half of your grade.

Click here to learn more words.

December 31, 2013