Subscriber login


Forgot your password?

Library card login

Other

last1

Pronunciation: /lɑːst/
Translate last | into French | into German | into Italian | into Spanish
Definition of last

adjective

[attributive]
  • 1coming after all others in time or order; final:they caught the last bus
  • met with or encountered after any others:the last house in the village
  • the lowest in importance or rank:finishing in last place [as complement]:he came last in the race
  • (the last) the least likely or suitable:he’s the last person I’d turn to for help the last thing she needed was a husband
  • 2most recent in time; latest:last year [postpositive]:your letter of Sunday last
  • immediately preceding in order; previous in a sequence or enumeration:their last album this last point is critical
  • 3only remaining:it’s our last hope

adverb

  • 1on the last occasion before the present; previously:a woman last heard of in Cornwall
  • 2 [in combination] after all others in order or sequence:the last-named film
  • 3(especially in enumerating points) lastly:and last, I’d like to thank you all for coming

noun (plural same)

  • the last person or thing; the one occurring, mentioned, or acting after all others:the last of their guests had gone he was eating as if every mouthful were his last
  • (the last of) the only part of something that remains:they drank the last of the wine
  • [in singular] the last position or finisher in a race or competition:Lion Cavern came from last in a slowly run race
  • (the last) the end or last moment, especially death:he was dead, having refused morphia to the last
  • (the last) the last mention or sight of someone or something:that was the last we saw of her

Phrases

at last

(or at long last)
in the end; after much delay:you’ve come back to me at last!

in the (or as a) last resort

see last resort.

—— one's last

do something for the last time:the dying embers sparked their last

last but not least

last in order of mention or occurrence but not of importance: last but not least Gary in midfield has been brilliant last, but by no means least, much still needs to be done to improve public attitudes

one's (or the) last gasp

see gasp.

the last minute

the latest possible time before an event:the visit was cancelled at the last minute

last orders (North American also last call)

(in a bar or pub) an expression used to inform customers that closing time is approaching and that any further drinks should be purchased immediately:last orders, gentlemen, please

the last straw

see straw.

last thing

late in the evening, especially as a final act before going to bed:I think having that cup of tea last thing at night really helps

the last word

  • 1the final or definitive pronouncement on or decision about a subject:he’s always determined to have the last word
  • 2the finest or most modern, fashionable, or advanced example of something:the new flat is the last word in luxury

on one's last legs

see leg.

Origin:

Old English latost (adverb) 'after all others in a series', of Germanic origin; related to Dutch laatst, lest and German letzt, also to late

last in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of last in the US English dictionary

Nearby words

  |  Cite
Oxford Dictionaries Pro

For Oxford's best resources for writers, plus thesaurus, audio, and 1.9m examples.

GET PRO ►

Shop for an Oxford dictionary
Find the perfect Oxford dictionary for you in our online shop.
SHOP NOW ►

Word of the day

cur

/ kəː /
noun
an aggressive or unkempt dog …