Etymology From Middle English final, fynal, fynall, from Old French final, from Latin fīnālis (“of or relating to the end or to boundaries”), from fīnis (“end”); see fine. Replaced native English endly (“final”).
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Canada, Philippines, US A final examination; a test or examination given at the end of a term or class; the test that concludes a class.
It was tough cramming for those midterms and finals, staying up 72 hours straight hepped up on caffeine and pizza.2005 April 13, Robert MacMillan, “Steal This Song”, in The Washington Post, retrieved 03 Oct 2008:
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A final examination taken at the end of the final year of an undergraduate course, which contributes towards a student's degree classification.
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Hobbies, Lifestyle, Sports The last round, game or match in a contest, after which the winner is determined.
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Human sciences, Linguistics, Phonology, Sciences The final part of a syllable, the combination of medial and rime in phonetics and phonology.
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Entertainment, Lifestyle, Music The tonic or keynote of a Gregorian mode, and hence the final note of any conventional melody played in that mode.
Etymology From Middle English final, fynal, fynall, from Old French final, from Latin fīnālis (“of or relating to the end or to boundaries”), from fīnis (“end”); see fine. Replaced native English endly (“final”).
1
Last; ultimate.
final solution; the final day of a school term
Yet despair not of his final pardon.1671, John Milton, “Samson Agonistes, […]”, in Paradise Regain’d. A Poem. In IV Books. To which is Added, Samson Agonistes, London: […] J[ohn] M[acock] for John Starkey […], →OCLC:
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Conclusive; decisive.
a final judgment; the battle of Waterloo brought the contest to a final issue
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Respecting an end or object to be gained; respecting the purpose or ultimate end in view.
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Grammar, Human sciences, Linguistics, Sciences Expressing purpose; as in the term final clause.
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Human sciences, Linguistics, Sciences Word-final; occurring at the end of a word.
Thus, when he drew up instructions in lawyer language, he expressed the important words by an initial, a medial, or a final consonant, and made scratches for all the words between; his clerks, however, understood him very well.1892, Walter Besant, “Prologue: Who is Edmund Gray?”, in The Ivory Gate […], New York, N.Y.: Harper & Brothers, […], →OCLC:
Etymology From Middle English final, fynal, fynall, from Old French final, from Latin fīnālis (“of or relating to the end or to boundaries”), from fīnis (“end”); see fine. Replaced native English endly (“final”).
1
Hobbies, Lifestyle, SportsColloquial To qualify for the final round of a competition.
Mike finalled in both the 400 meter and the 800 meter races.
Early in his swimming career, Baker finaled in the 200 fly at both the 1980 and 1984 Olympic Trials and was a two-time Pacific 10 Champion in the event for the University of Arizona.2007 January 30, Archive Team, “A Day in the Life: Dennis Baker, Day 1”, in Swimming World:
3 more examples
Last year, Carlson would have A finaled in the 100-yard breast (58.75) and B finaled in the 200-yard breast (2:09.66).2009 May 10, Archive Team, “Swimming World Six Star Kasey Carlson Makes College Pledge”, in Swimming World:
Vocab-wise, medalling and PB-ing are now totally part-and-parcelled, and most experts in South Korea believe podiumed, finalled and all-comered are not far off lexiconing.2011 January 9, Harry Pearson, “London 2012 can legacy by verbing the noun”, in The Guardian:
In Summer 2019, he finaled in a pair of events at Gainesville Sectionals before going on to take 22nd in the 100m and 200m free at Greensboro Futures.2021 January 17, Chandler Brandes, “UNC Snags Verbal from Sprinter Tyler Roberton of Tampa Bay Aquatics for 2022-23”, in Swimming World: