lastadjective, adverb, pronoun, noun
uk/lɑːst/us/læst/A2 (the person or thing) after everyone or everything else:
[ + to infinitive ] I hate being the last one to arrive at a meeting.
Our house is the last one on the left before the traffic lights.
The Mets will surely finish the season in last place (= at the lowest rank of their division).
I know Johnson finished last in the race, but who was second to last (= the one before the one at the end)?
I don't know why he bothers to bet - his horses always come in last.
At the last moment (= as late as possible) he changed his mind.
He always leaves important decisions to the last (possible) moment (= as late as possible).
at (long) last
B1 finally:
I've finished my essay at last!
At long last the government is starting to listen to our problems.
the last person, thing, etc.
More examples
- She's the last person to be interested in violent movies.
- Cream cakes are the last thing you should eat if you're on a diet.
- He's the last person I'd trust to look after my children.
- The last thing I need is more work to do.
- I think I'm getting a headache - that's the last thing I need today!
B2 the least expected or wanted person or thing:
Three extra people to feed - that's the last thing I need!
The last thing I wanted was to make you unhappy.
Matthew is the last person I'd expect to be interested in dance.
He's the last person I'd trust with my keys.
last thing (at night)
at the latest time in the day:
I'll switch on the washing machine last thing so it'll be finished when I get up in the morning.
the last time
If you say that it is the last time you will do something, you mean that you will never do it again:
He never even thanked me, so that's the last time I do him a favour.
More examples
- My last class ends at four o'clock.
- The doctors made one last desperate attempt to save the boy's life.
- Ruth Ellis was the last woman to be hanged in Britain.
- He was the last person to see the woman alive, and suspicion immediately fell on him.
- I didn't manage to write down that last bit she said, about the meeting.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Final and finally
- antepenultimate
- as a last resort idiom
- at the end of the day idiom
- back end
- back end
- concluding
- conclusion
- end
- eventual
- eventually
- final
- finally
- hear/see the last of sth idiom
- lastly
- latest
- latter
- next to last
- the last but one idiom
- ultimately
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You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Unsuitable and unacceptable
Late
Idiom(s)
have the last laugh
last but not least
the last but one
the last sb heard/saw of sb/sth
the last minute
the last word in sth
to the last
(down) to the last ...
to the last (man)
lastadjective [ before noun ], pronoun, noun [ U ]
uk/lɑːst/us/læst/B1 (being) the only one or part that is left:
Do you mind if I have the last chocolate?
I'm down to my last dollar - could I borrow some money for lunch?
I'm afraid Martha's eaten the last of the ice cream.
She was the last of the great educational reformers.
More examples
- You got the last ticket - damn you, I wanted that!
- Today's my last full day in Paris.
- Go steady on the milk, Dan - that's our last bottle.
- I finally surrendered to temptation, and ate the last remaining chocolate.
- That's the last time I'm going to look after her kids - I'll be glad when the little demons go home.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Final and finally
- antepenultimate
- as a last resort idiom
- at the end of the day idiom
- back end
- back end
- concluding
- conclusion
- end
- eventual
- eventually
- final
- finally
- hear/see the last of sth idiom
- lastly
- latest
- latter
- next to last
- the last but one idiom
- ultimately
See more results »
Idiom(s)
as a last resort
hear/see the last of sth
on your last legs
on its last legs
lastadjective, adverb, pronoun
uk/lɑːst/us/læst/A1 (being) the most recent or the one before the present one:
Did you hear the storm last night (= during the previous night)?
Did you see the news on TV last night (= yesterday evening)?
They got married last November.
When was the last time you had a cigarette?
When did you last have a cigarette?
She's been working there for the last month (= for the four weeks until now).
formal Could you account for your whereabouts on Sunday last?
The/These last five years have been very difficult for him.
The last we heard of her, she was working as an English teacher in France.
Each of her paintings has been better than the last.
More examples
- Most of the diseased trees were chopped down last year.
- Did you vote Conservative at the last election?
- Who was she dancing with at the party last night?
- In their last encounter with Italy, England won 3-2.
- "Have you always lived here?" "As a matter of fact I've only lived here for the last three years".
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
In the past
- ago
- any more idiom
- anymore
- back in the day idiom
- before
- clock
- dot
- late
- memory
- no longer idiom
- of late idiom
- of old idiom
- old
- once
- past
- the status quo ante
- the week/month/year before last idiom
- the year dot idiom
- use
- used
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Idiom(s)
the week/month/year before last
lastverb [ I, L only + noun ]
uk/lɑːst/us/læst/B1 to continue to exist:
The meeting lasted two hours.
The drought lasted for several months.
They say the snow will last until the end of next week.
I can't see the ceasefire lasting.
They haven't had an argument for two weeks, but it's too good to last (= they'll have an argument soon).
I doubt their enthusiasm will last.
He's working very efficiently at the moment, but it won't last.
C1 to continue being good or suitable:
There's no point buying something that isn't going to last.
The cheaper washing machines should last about five years.
This pen should last (you) a lifetime if you take care of it.
Her previous secretary only lasted a month (= left after this period).
More examples
- The exam lasted an hour and a half.
- The relationship was never going to work, but it was fun while it lasted.
- The election broadcast, a nine-hour marathon, lasts until seven o'clock in the morning.
- Apparently this good weather isn't going to last until the weekend.
- Who can predict how long this uneasy peace between the two countries will last?
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Continue & last
- (it's) business as usual idiom
- bash on
- carry (sth) on
- cease
- cont
- contd
- drag
- keep at sth
- keep on doing sth
- keep on trucking idiom
- keep sb at it idiom
- nine
- push
- run over (sth)
- see sth out
- segue
- soldier on
- spill
- stick
- string
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Idiom(s)
not last long
Phrasal verb(s)
last out