# finally

Pronunciation: say "FY-nuh-lee" /ˈfaɪ.nl̩.i/

## Adverb

1. At the end of a long process or period of waiting; at last.
   - Simple: After a long time or a lot of waiting, when something happens at last.
   - _After years of negotiation, the two sides finally reached an agreement._
   - _The rain finally stopped just as the game was about to be canceled._
2. Used to introduce the last point or item in a series of statements.
   - Simple: Used to introduce the last thing in a list or talk.
   - _Finally, let me address the question everyone has been asking._
   - _She gave three reasons and, finally, summarized her whole argument._
3. In a definitive and complete way that settles a matter for good, leaving nothing open.
   - Simple: In a way that settles something for good, so it will not change.
   - _The vote does not finally settle the matter, since the courts can still overturn it._
   - _The treaty was meant to settle the border question finally, so that neither country could ever reopen it._
4. At bottom; when all factors are considered; in the most fundamental sense.
   - Simple: When you look at everything together, in the most basic sense.
   - _Good teaching depends, finally, on whether students trust the person in front of them._
   - _It is, finally, a question of fairness rather than money._

## Origin

From Middle English finally (also spelled fynaly, fynally), formed from final plus the suffix -ly.

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/finally (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).