last
[adjective]
Synonyms:
- hindmost, at the end, rearmost
- most recent, latest
- final, closing, concluding, terminal, ultimate
[adverb]
Synonyms:
- in the rear, after, behind, bringing up the rear, in or at the end
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[verb]
continue, abide, carry on, endure, keep on, persist, remain, stand up, survive

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Antonyms: first
Contrasted words: beginning, inaugural, initial, introductory, original, primary, prime
Related Words: bottommost, end, extreme, furthest, outermost, remotest, utmost, uttermost

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English Thesaurus: continue, last, go on, carry on, drag on, ...

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

I. last¹ S1 W1 /lɑːst $ læst/ determiner, adjective

1. most recent or nearest to the present time ⇒ next(12):
I hadn’t seen him since the last meeting.
last night/week/year etc
Did you see the game on TV last night?
The law was passed last August.
Interest in golf has grown rapidly in the last ten years.
Things have changed since the last time (=the most recent occasion) you were here.

2. happening or existing at the end, with no others after Antonym : first:
I didn’t read the last chapter of the book.
The next meeting will be held in the last week in June.
the last person/thing etc to do something
Anna was the last person to see him alive.
last but one/two etc (=last except for one other, two others etc)
on the last but one day of his trial
second/next to last (=last except for one other)
the second to last paragraph

3. remaining after all others have gone, been used etc:
Can I have the last piece of cake?
every last (=used to emphasize that you mean all of something)
All the money was gone; every last penny of it.

4. the last minute/moment the latest possible time before something happens:
Travelers will find it hard to get a hotel room at the last minute.
He never makes a decision until almost the last moment.

5. the last person/thing used to make a strong negative statement about someone or something:
She’s the last person I’d expect to meet in a disco (=I would not expect to meet her in a disco at all).
Money was the last thing I cared about right now.
the last thing somebody needs/wants
The last thing she needed was for me to start crying too.

6. be the last straw to be the final thing in a series of annoying things that makes someone very angry:
He’d broken his promise again, and it was the last straw.

7. last thing (at night) at the very end of the day:
Take a couple of these pills last thing at night to help you sleep.

8. on your last legs informal
a) very tired:
Sarah looks as if she’s on her last legs.
b) very ill and likely to die soon

9. on its last legs informal old or in bad condition, and likely to stop working soon:
The car’s on its last legs.

10. be the last word in something to be the best, most modern, or most comfortable example of something:
It’s the last word in luxury holidays.
⇒ last resort at resort¹(2), ⇒ with your last/dying breath at breath(9), ⇒ last hurrah, ⇒ have the last laugh at laugh²(6), ⇒ the last/final word at word¹(14)

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

II. last² S1 W1 adverb

1. most recently before now ⇒ next:
When I last saw her, she was working in New York.

2. after everything or everyone else Antonym : first:
Who is speaking last?
Add the flour last.
last of all (=used when giving a final point or piece of information)
Last of all, I’d like to thank everyone for coming.

3. last but not least used when mentioning the last person or thing in a list, to emphasize that they are still important:
Last but not least, let me introduce Jane, our new secretary.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

III. last³ S1 W1 noun, pronoun

1. the last the person or thing that comes after all the others Antonym : first:
I think this box is the last.
the last to do something
He was the first to arrive and the last to leave.

2. at (long) last if something happens at last, it happens after you have been hoping, waiting, or working for it a long time:
At last it was time to leave.
We reached the summit at last.

3. the day/week/year etc before last the day, week etc before the one that has just finished:
I sent the letter off the week before last.

4. the last of something the remaining parts of something:
John ate the last of the bread at lunchtime.

5. somebody hasn’t heard the last of somebody/something if you have not heard the last of someone or something, they may return and cause problems for you in the future:
We haven’t heard the last of football violence.

6. somebody will never hear the last of something if you will never hear the last of something, someone will be angry with you about it for a long time:
If my mother sees me, I’ll never hear the last of this.

7. the last I heard spoken used to tell someone the most recent news that you know about a person or situation:
The last I heard, she was at college studying law.

8. to the last formal until the end of an event or the end of someone’s life:
He died in 1987, insisting to the last he was innocent.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

IV. last⁴ S1 W2 verb
[Language: Old English; Origin: læstan 'to last, follow']

1. [intransitive always + adverb/preposition, transitive] to continue for a particular length of time
last for/until/through etc
The hot weather lasted for the whole month of June.
last an hour/ten minutes etc
Each lesson lasts an hour.
The ceasefire didn’t last long.

2. [intransitive and transitive] to continue to exist, be effective, or remain in good condition for a long time:
This good weather won’t last.
last (somebody) two days/three weeks etc
A good coat will last you ten years.
Cut flowers will last longer if you put flower food in the water.

3. [intransitive always + adverb/preposition] (also last out (something) British English) to manage to remain in the same situation, even when this is difficult:
They won’t be able to last much longer without fresh supplies.
If you go into the job with that attitude, you won’t last long.
She feared she might not be able to last out the afternoon in court without fainting.

4. [intransitive, transitive always + adverb/preposition] to be enough for someone for a period of time Synonym : do
last (somebody) for/until/to etc
The batteries should last for 20 hours playing time.
We only had $50 to last us the rest of the month.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

V. last⁵ noun [countable]
[Language: Old English; Origin: læste, from last 'footmark']
a piece of wood or metal shaped like a human foot, used by someone who makes and repairs shoes

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

last
verb
ADV. long Your car will last longer if you look after it.
forever, indefinitely Nothing lasts forever.
With care, the vines will last indefinitely.
never Happiness never lasts.
VERB + LAST can/cannot, could (not) The storm could last quite a long time.
will/won't, would (not) The kids are all very enthusiastic, but it won't last?it never does.
be likely/unlikely to I always thought his popularity was unlikely to last.
be expected to | seem to The journey seemed to last forever.
be built to This house was built to last.
PREP. for The war lasted for three years.
into The celebrations lasted well into the next week. | until The trial is expected to last until the end of the week.
PHRASES while sth lasts Make the most of this feeling while it lasts.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

last
I.
noun
BAD: First we listened to the tape, then we answered some questions, and at last we wrote the story.
GOOD: First we listened to the tape, then we answered some questions, and finally we wrote the story.
BAD: We went from one restaurant to another, but all of them were full. At last we decided to buy some pizzas and take them home.
GOOD: We went from one restaurant to another, but all of them were full. In the end we decided to buy some pizzas and take them home.

Usage Note:
FINALLY · IN THE END · EVENTUALLY · AT LAST · AFTER ALL · AT THE END
Finally and lastly are used (1) at the beginning of a sentence) to introduce the past point in a speech, reply, essay etc: ‘finally, I’d like to consider the economic arguments.’ ‘Lastly, I’d like to thank you all for coming and wish you a safe journey home.’ (2) to introduce the last action in a sequence of actions or the last thing in a list: ‘Finally, as soon as you hear a beep, press the start button.’ ‘She showed us the new dress, then the blouse, and lastly the shoes.
Finally and eventually are used to show that something happens after a long time or delay: ‘When the bus finally arrived it was full up.’ ‘Eventually the baby stopped crying and we managed to get some sleep.’
Eventually and in the end are used to introduce the result or outcome of something: ‘In the end United won by three goals to two.’ ‘It seems more and more likely that the human race will eventually destroy itself.’
At last means ‘after a long period of waiting or trying to do something’: ‘I’m pleased to hear that you are out of hospital at last.’ Unlike eventually, at last is often used in connection with the present situation, and expresses a sense of relief: ‘I can’t believe that we’re actually getting on the plane at last.’ ‘Do you mean that you’ve really stopped smoking at last?’
After all means ‘despite what was planned, expected or believed’: ‘We stayed at home after all and watched the match on television.’ ‘I’m sorry to hear that you won’t be coming to London after all.’ After all is also used to remind someone of a fact which they should consider: ‘I’m not surprised you’re tired. After all, you didn’t get any sleep last night.’ ‘Why are you so upset about losing? After all, it’s only a game.’
At the end At the end refers to the point where something finishes: ‘Their house is at the end of the road.’ ‘Do you remember what happens at the end of the film?’ Unlike in the end, at the end is usually followed by of : ‘at the end of the lesson/course/road/year’.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Common Errors ▲

last
II.
adverb
BAD: At last but not least, I must mention the climate.
GOOD: Last but not least, I must mention the climate.

Usage Note:
last but not least (WITHOUT at ): 'Last but not least, I'd like to thank our sponsors for making this evening possible.'

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Common Errors ▲

last
III.
determiner
1.
BAD: Did you hear what happened on last Friday?
GOOD: Did you hear what happened last Friday?
BAD: He looks thinner than when I saw him in the last summer.
GOOD: He looks thinner than when I saw him last summer.
BAD: The last Monday was a terrible day.
GOOD: Last Monday was a terrible day.

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2.
BAD: In the last years many people have stopped smoking.
GOOD: In recent years many people have stopped smoking.

Usage Note:
in recent weeks/months etc (NOT last ): 'In recent months this stretch of the road has seen three serious accidents.'
Compare: 'Over the last few years many people have stopped smoking.'

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3.
BAD: As a dress designer, I am very interested in the last fashions.
GOOD: As a dress designer, I am very interested in the latest fashions.

Usage Note:
last = (the one) before this one; (the one) at the end of a list, sequence or series: 'Our last meeting was in Rome.' 'I answered all the questions except the last one.'
latest = designed/produced/published etc more recently than any other: 'Have you seen Toyota's latest models?' 'The BBC World Service always has the latest news.'

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Common Errors ▲

continue to happen without stopping:
The good weather seems likely to continue.
Unless there are serious negotiations, the fighting will continue.
Some people have lost work, and this will continue to happen until the computer system is fixed.
The review process is expected to continue for several weeks.
last to continue – use this to say how long something continues for:
I know my good luck won’t last forever.
It’s not certain how long the ceasefire will last.
The trial lasted for six days.
The meeting lasted until lunchtime.
The training period lasted from July 2 to August 25.
go on to continue, especially for a long time:
Disputes between neighbours can go on for years.
carry on British English to continue, especially when there are problems:
The game carried on despite the injury of two players.
drag on to continue for much longer than necessary or for longer than you want:
The meeting dragged on for another hour.
The talks dragged on, with no apparent hope of achieving a peaceful solution.
persist formal if something bad persists, it continues to exist or happen:
See your doctor if the symptoms persist.
If adverse weather conditions persist, the game will be cancelled.

[TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲

continue to not stop doing something that you are already doing:
We need the money to continue our work.
They continued arguing for a long time.
Despite all the warnings, many people continue to smoke.
Sometimes she just couldn’t see the point of continuing.
My teacher advised me to continue with my studies.
go on (also carry on especially British English) to continue doing something. Go on is less formal than continue, and is the phrase that people usually use in everyday English:
Dan went on talking but she was no longer listening.
He carried on with his day job.
Sheehan has carried on with her campaign.
keep (on) doing something [not in progressive] to continue doing something for a long time – especially so that you feel tired or annoyed:
We kept on walking until we got to the top of the hill.
The man kept staring at me.
persevere /ˌpɜːsəˈvɪə, ˌpɜːsɪˈvɪə $ ˌpɜːrsəˈvɪr/ to continue trying to do something in a very patient and determined way, in spite of difficulties. Persevere sounds rather formal:
He didn’t know any English, but he persevered and became a good student.
Her health was rapidly declining but she persevered with her duties.
Stevenson persevered in his efforts to discover what had really happened.
Children today seem less willing to seek out challenges and persevere in the face of adversity.
last to continue – use this to say how long something continues for:
I know my good luck won’t last forever.
It’s not certain how long the ceasefire will last.
The trial lasted for six days.
The meeting lasted until lunchtime.
The training period lasted from July 2 to August 25.
carry on British English to continue, especially when there are problems:
The game carried on despite the injury of two players.
drag on to continue for much longer than necessary or for longer than you want:
The meeting dragged on for another hour.
The talks dragged on, with no apparent hope of achieving a peaceful solution.
persist formal if something bad persists, it continues to exist or happen:
See your doctor if the symptoms persist.
If adverse weather conditions persist, the game will be cancelled.

[TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲

last most recent or nearest to the present time:
His last film was much better.
It rained all day last Saturday.
The last time I saw her was two years ago.
previous before this one, or before the one that you are talking about:
See the diagram in the previous chapter.
His previous records had all been jazz records.
How much were you earning in your previous job?
former [only before noun] formal existing or having a particular position in the past, but not now:
the former Soviet Union
the former US president
Interest rates are unlikely to return to their former level.
the former Chief Executive
old [only before noun] used about a person or thing that existed in the past, but has been replaced by a newer one:
an old boyfriend
The old model was much slower.
final [only before noun] last in a series of actions, events, parts of a story etc:
It’s the final game of the championship tomorrow.
the final scene of the film
closing [only before noun] used about the last part of a long period of time, or of an event, book etc that has been exciting or interesting:
the closing years of the twentieth century
Barnes scored the winning goal in the closing minutes of the game.
concluding [only before noun] used about the last part of a piece of writing, a speech, or an organized event, that ends it in a definite way:
the concluding section of the report
the judge’s concluding remarks
penultimate /peˈnʌltəmət, peˈnʌltɪmət, pə-/ [only before noun] the one before the last one:
the penultimate chapter
continue to happen without stopping:
The good weather seems likely to continue.
Unless there are serious negotiations, the fighting will continue.
Some people have lost work, and this will continue to happen until the computer system is fixed.
The review process is expected to continue for several weeks.
go on to continue, especially for a long time:
Disputes between neighbours can go on for years.
carry on British English to continue, especially when there are problems:
The game carried on despite the injury of two players.
drag on to continue for much longer than necessary or for longer than you want:
The meeting dragged on for another hour.
The talks dragged on, with no apparent hope of achieving a peaceful solution.
persist formal if something bad persists, it continues to exist or happen:
See your doctor if the symptoms persist.
If adverse weather conditions persist, the game will be cancelled.

[TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲

last [only before noun] happening or existing at the end, with no others after:
What time does the last train leave?
Our house is the last one on the right.
final [only before noun] last in a series of actions, events, parts of a story etc:
It’s the final game of the championship tomorrow.
the final scene of the film
closing [only before noun] used about the last part of a long period of time, or of an event, book etc that has been exciting or interesting:
the closing years of the twentieth century
Barnes scored the winning goal in the closing minutes of the game.
concluding [only before noun] used about the last part of a piece of writing, a speech, or an organized event, that ends it in a definite way:
the concluding section of the report
the judge’s concluding remarks
penultimate /peˈnʌltəmət, peˈnʌltɪmət, pə-/ [only before noun] the one before the last one:
the penultimate chapter
test a set of questions or practical activities, which are intended to find out how much someone knows about a subject or skill:
I have a chemistry test tomorrow.
Did Lauren pass her driving test?
exam (also examination formal) an important test that you do at the end of a course of study or class or at the end of the school year:
He’s upstairs, revising for an exam.
When do you get your exam results?
There’s a written examination at the end of the course.
quiz American English a quick test that a teacher gives to a class, usually to check that students are learning the things they should be learning:
We have a math quiz every Monday.
a pop quiz (=a quiz given by a teacher without any warning)
finals British English the last exams that you take at the end of a British university course:
During my finals I was revising till 3 o'clock in the morning most days.
midterm American English an important test that you take in the middle of a term, covering what you have learned in a particular class in high school or college:
He did badly in the midterm.
oral exam (also oral British English) an exam in which you answer questions by speaking, instead of writing, for example to test how good you are at speaking a foreign language:
Nicky got an A in her Spanish oral.
You can either take an oral exam or do a 25 page essay.
practical British English an exam that tests your ability to do or make things, rather than your ability to write about them:
The chemistry practical is on Monday.
mocks/mock exams British English informal tests that you take as practice before the official examinations:
She did well in the mocks.
paper British English a set of printed questions used as an examination in a particular subject, or the answers people write:
The history paper was really difficult.
The papers are marked by the other teachers.

[TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲

previous [only before noun] used when talking about a person, thing, time etc before the one that you are talking about now:
The car’s previous owner didn’t take very good care of it.
Please ignore my previous instructions.
The temperature is higher than in previous years.
last [only before noun] used when talking about the one that you had just before now, or the one that existed just before now:
The last apartment we lived in was much smaller than this one.
Ben’s last girlfriend was a teacher.
Beth broke up with her last boyfriend because he drank too much.
old [only before noun] used when talking about people you knew or things you had in the past, or about things that existed in the past and have been replaced by newer things:
I never liked my old boss.
I saw Phil with one of my old girlfriends.
The new stadium is much bigger than the old one.
He was my old maths teacher.
preceding [only before noun] formal coming just before the time or thing you have just mentioned, or before the part of a book where you are now:
There were fewer crimes compared to the preceding year.
The author dealt with this subject in the preceding chapters of the book.
In the preceding section of the poem, Whitman is talking about how important it is to live in the present.
former [only before noun] formal used to describe someone or something that used to have a particular job or position but does not any more:
her former husband
the former US President
Kyoto was the former capital of Japan.
ex-wife/boyfriend/soldier etc someone who used to be someone’s wife, used to be a soldier etc, but is not any more:
Her dad’s an ex-policeman.
Lydia is still friends with her ex-husband.
the one before the person or thing that existed before the one you have just mentioned:
I didn’t enjoy Spielberg’s last film but I thought the one before was all right.
Each year, the convention is a little larger than the one before.

[TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲

last
̈ɪlɑ:st
See: at last , every last man , every single or every last , first and last , he laughs best who laughs last , have the last laugh , on one's last legs , till the last gun is fired or until the last gun is fired

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲