Dictionary
Thesaurus
Reference
Translate
Web
Related Searches
on Ask.com
Synonyms
Nearby Entries
last - 21 dictionary results

last

1  [last, lahst]
Use last in a Sentence
–adjective a superl. of late with later as compar.
1. occurring or coming after all others, as in time, order, or place: the last line on a page.
2. most recent; next before the present; latest: last week; last Friday.
3. being the only one remaining: my last dollar; the last outpost; a last chance.
4. final: in his last hours.
5. ultimate or conclusive; definitive: the last word in the argument.
6. lowest in prestige or importance: last prize.
7. coming after all others in suitability or likelihood; least desirable: He is the last person we'd want to represent us.
8. individual; single: The lecture won't start until every last person is seated.
9. utmost; extreme: the last degree of delight.
10. Ecclesiastical. (of the sacraments of penance, viaticum, or extreme unction) extreme or final; administered to a person dying or in danger of dying.
–adverb
11. after all others; latest: He arrived last at the party.
12. on the most recent occasion: When last seen, the suspect was wearing a checked suit.
13. in the end; finally; in conclusion.
–noun
14. a person or thing that is last.
15. a final appearance or mention: We've seen the last of her. That's the last we'll hear of it.
16. the end or conclusion: We are going on vacation the last of September.
—Idioms
17. at last, after a lengthy pause or delay: He was lost in thought for several minutes, but at last he spoke.
18. at long last, after much troublesome or frustrating delay: The ship docked at long last.
19. breathe one's last, to die: He was nearly 90 when he breathed his last.
Origin:
bef. 900; ME last, latst, syncopated var. of latest, OE latest, lætest, superl. of læt, late

Synonyms:
1. Last, final, ultimate refer to what comes as an ending. That which is last comes or stands after all others in a stated series or succession; last may refer to objects or activities: a seat in the last row; the last game. That which is final comes at the end, or serves to end or terminate, admitting of nothing further; final is rarely used of objects: to make a final attempt. That which is ultimate (literally, most remote) is the last that can be reached, as in progression or regression, experience, or a course of investigation: ultimate truths.

last

2  [last, lahst]
–verb (used without object)
1. to go on or continue in time: The festival lasted three weeks.
2. to continue unexpended or unexhausted; be enough: We'll enjoy ourselves while our money lasts.
3. to continue in force, vigor, effectiveness, etc.: to last for the whole course.
4. to continue or remain in usable condition for a reasonable period of time: They were handsome shoes but they didn't last.
–verb (used with object)
5. to continue to survive for the duration of (often fol. by out): They lasted the war in Switzerland.
Origin:
bef. 900; ME lasten, OE lǣstan to follow (lit., go in the tracks of), perform, continue, last; c. G laisten to follow, Goth laistjan. See last 3

Synonyms:
1. See continue.

last

3  [last, lahst]
–noun
1. a wooden or metal form in the shape of the human foot on which boots or shoes are shaped or repaired.
2. the shape or form of a shoe.
–verb (used with object)
3. to shape on or fit to a last.
—Idiom
4. stick to one's last, to keep to that work, field, etc., in which one is competent or skilled.
Origin:
bef. 900; ME lest(e), last(e), OE lǣste; c. G Leisten; akin to OE lāst, Goth laists track

Related forms:
laster, noun

last

4  [last, lahst]
–noun
any of various large units of weight or capacity, varying in amount in different localities and for different commodities, often equivalent to 4000 pounds (1814.37 kilograms).
Origin:
bef. 900; ME; OE hlæst; c. D last, G Last load; akin to lade

late

  [leyt] adjective, lat⋅er or lat⋅ter, lat⋅est or last, adverb lat⋅er, lat⋅est.
–adjective
1. occurring, coming, or being after the usual or proper time: late frosts; a late spring.
2. continued until after the usual time or hour; protracted: a late business meeting.
3. near or at the end of day or well into the night: a late hour.
4. belonging to the time just before the present moment; most recent: a late news bulletin.
5. immediately preceding the present one; former: the late attorney general.
6. recently deceased: the late Mr. Phipps.
7. occurring at an advanced stage in life: a late marriage.
8. belonging to an advanced period or stage in the history or development of something: the late phase of feudalism.
–adverb
9. after the usual or proper time, or after delay: to arrive late.
10. until after the usual time or hour; until an advanced hour, esp. of the night: to work late.
11. at or to an advanced time, period, or stage: The flowers keep their blossoms late in warm climates.
12. recently but no longer: a man late of Chicago, now living in Philadelphia.
—Idiom
13. of late, lately; recently: The days have been getting warmer of late.
Origin:
bef. 900; ME; OE læt slow, late; c. G lass slothful, ON latr, Goth lats slow, lazy, L lassus tired

Related forms:
lateness, noun

Synonyms:
1. tardy; slow, dilatory; delayed, belated. 4. See modern.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To last
last 1   (lāst)   
adj.  
  1. Being, coming, or placed after all others; final: the last game of the season.
  2. Being the only one left: his last nickel; as a last resort.
  3. Just past; most recent: last year; the last time I checked.
  4. Most up-to-date; newest: the last thing in swimwear.
  5. Highest in extent or degree; utmost: to the last measure of human endurance.
  6. Most valid, authoritative, or conclusive: The arbiter will have the last say in resolving this dispute.
    1. Least likely or expected: the last person we would have suspected.
    2. The least desirable or suitable: the last man for the job.
    3. Of or relating to a terminal period or stage, as of life: the last days of the dinosaurs.
    4. Administered just before death: the last sacraments.
  8. Being the latest possible: waited until the last second before boarding the train.
  9. Lowest in rank or importance: last prize; last place.
  10. Used as an intensive: Every last dollar was donated to charity.
    1. Of or relating to a terminal period or stage, as of life: the last days of the dinosaurs.
    2. Administered just before death: the last sacraments.
adv.  
  1. After all others in chronology or sequence: arrived last.
  2. Most recently: a fashion last popular in the 1940s.
  3. At the end; finally: Add the butter last.
n.  
  1. One that is at the end or last: the last to be chosen; on every page but the last.
  2. The end: held out until the last.
  3. The final mention or appearance: haven't seen the last of our troubles.

[Middle English, from Old English latost, superlative of læt, late; see lē- in Indo-European roots.]
last'ly adv.
Synonyms: These adjectives mean coming after all others in chronology or sequence. Last applies to what comes at the end of a series: the last day of the month.
Something final stresses the definitiveness and decisiveness of the conclusion: "I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality" (Martin Luther King, Jr.)
Terminal applies to what marks or forms a limit or boundary, as in space, time, or development: The railroad chose as its terminal city a town with a large harbor.
Ultimate applies to what concludes a series, process, or progression, to what constitutes a final result or objective, and to what is most distant or remote, as in time: the ultimate sonata of that opus; our ultimate goal; the ultimate effect.
last 2   (lāst)   
v.   last·ed, last·ing, lasts

v.   intr.
    1. To continue in time; go on: The war lasted four years.
    2. To continue; survive: The patient is not expected to last much longer.
    3. To remain in good or usable condition: Produce lasts longer if it is refrigerated. I wanted a car that would last.
    4. To continue in force or practice: wondered if the marriage would last.
    1. To remain in good or usable condition: Produce lasts longer if it is refrigerated. I wanted a car that would last.
    2. To continue in force or practice: wondered if the marriage would last.
  3. To remain in adequate supply: Will our water last?
v.   tr.
  1. To keep adequately supplied: left enough bread to last the family for the weekend.
  2. To persist or endure for the entire length of; survive: hoped to last the season without injuring her leg again.

[Middle English lasten, from Old English lǣstan; see leis-1 in Indo-European roots.]
last 3   (lāst)   
n.  A block or form shaped like a human foot and used in making or repairing shoes.
tr.v.   last·ed, last·ing, lasts
To mold or shape on a last.

[Middle English leste, laste, from Old English lǣste, from lǣst, lāst, sole of the foot; see leis-1 in Indo-European roots.]
last 4   (lāst)   
n.   Chiefly British
A unit of volume or weight varying for different commodities and in different districts, equal to about 80 bushels, 640 gallons, or 2 tons.

[Middle English, load, a kind of measure, from Old English hlæst, load.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source

Last

Last\, 3d pers. sing. pres. of Last, to endure, contracted from lasteth. [Obs.] --Chaucer.

Last

Last\, a. [OE. last, latst, contr. of latest, superl. of late; akin to OS. lezt, lazt, last, D. laatst, G. letzt. See Late, and cf. Latest.]

1. 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. --Neh. viii. 18.

Fairest of stars, last in the train of night. --Milton.

2. Next before the present; as, I saw him last week.

3. Supreme; highest in degree; utmost.

Contending for principles of the last importance. --R. Hall.

4. Lowest in rank or degree; as, the last prize. --Pope.

5. 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.

At last, at the end of a certain period; after delay. "The duke of Savoy felt that the time had at last arrived." --Motley.

At the last. [Prob. fr. AS. on l[=a]ste behind, following behind, fr. l[=a]st race, track, footstep. See Last mold of the foot.] At the end; in the conclusion. [Obs.] "Gad, a troop shall overcome him; but he shall overcome at the last." --Gen. xlix. 19.

Last heir, the person to whom lands escheat for want of an heir. [Eng.] --Abbott.

On one's last legs, at, or near, the end of one's resources; hence, on the verge of failure or ruin, especially in a financial sense. [Colloq.]

To breathe one's last, to die.

To the last, to the end; till the conclusion.

And blunder on in business to the last. --Pope.

Syn: At Last, At Length.

Usage: These phrases both denote that some delayed end or result has been reached. At length implies that a long period was spent in so doing; as, after a voyage of more than three months, we at Length arrived safe. At last commonly implies that something has occurred (as interruptions, disappointments, etc.) which leads us to emphasize the idea of having reached the end; as, in spite of every obstacle, we have at last arrived.

Last

Last\, adv. [See Last, a.]

1. 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.

2. In conclusion; finally.

Pleased with his idol, he commends, admires, Adores; and, last, the thing adored desires. --Dryden.

3. At a time next preceding the present time.

How long is't now since last yourself and I Were in a mask ? --Shak.

Last

Last\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Lasted; p. pr. & vb. n. Lasting.] [OE. lasten, As. l[ae]stan to perform, execute, follow, last, continue, fr. l[=a]st, l?st, trace, footstep, course; akin to G. leisten to perform, Goth. laistjan to follow. See Last mold of the foot.]

1. 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. --Testament of Love.

2. 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.

Last

Last\, n. [AS. l[=a]sttrace, track, footstep; akin to D. leest a last, G. leisten, Sw. l["a]st, Dan. l[ae]st, Icel. leistr the foot below the ankle, Goth. laists track, way; from a root signifying, to go. Cf. Last, v. i., Learn, Delirium.] A wooden block shaped like the human foot, on which boots and shoes are formed.

The cobbler is not to go beyond his last. --L'Estrange.

Darning last, a smooth, hard body, often egg-shaped, put into a stocking to preserve its shape in darning.

Last

Last\, v. t. To shape with a last; to fasten or fit to a last; to place smoothly on a last; as, to last a boot.

Last

Last\, n. [As. hl[ae]st, fr. hladan to lade; akin to OHG. hlast, G., D., Dan., & Sw. last: cf. F. laste, last, a last, of German or Dutch origin. See Lade.]

1. 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.

2. The burden of a ship; a cargo.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
Cite This Source
Language Translation for : last
Spanish: último,
German: letzt,
Japanese: 最後の
More Translations »

last  (adj., adv.)
"following all the others," from O.E. latost (adj.) and lætest (adv.), superl. of læt (adj.) and late (adv.). Cognate with O.Fris. lest, Du. laatst, O.H.G. laggost, Ger. letzt). Adj. Last-ditch "on the last line of defense" is from 1715, attributed to William of Orange. Last hurrah is from the title of Edwin O'Connor's 1956 novel. Last word "final, definitive statement" is from 1881.

last  (v.)
"endure," from O.E. læstan "to continue, endure," earlier "accomplish, carry out," lit. "to follow a track," from P.Gmc. *laistijanan (cf. Goth. laistjan "to follow," O.Fris. lasta "to fulfill, to pay (duties)," Ger. leisten "to perform, achieve, afford"). Related to last (n.), not to last (adj.).

last  (n.)
"shoemaker's block," from O.E. læste, from last "track, footprint, trace," from P.Gmc. *laistaz (cf. O.N. leistr "the foot," O.H.G. leist "track, footprint," Goth. laistjan "to follow," O.E. læran "to teach").
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source

last

See close 2.

Wall Street Words: An A to Z Guide to Investment Terms by David L. Scott.
Copyright © 2003. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
Cite This Source

last

In addition to the idioms beginning with last, also see at last; at the last minute; breathe one's last; each and every (last one); famous last words; first and last; head for (the last roundup); in the final (last) analysis; on one's last legs; see the last of; stick to one's last; to the last.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
Cite This Source
Search another word or see last on Thesaurus | Reference