last

LAST/læst/UKLAHST/lɑːst/

Verblasts, lasting, lasted

17 meanings of last

Practice

1
previous perioddeterminer
The one just before this one, as in 'last week' or 'last Thursday'.
We moved to this city last year.
My sister had a baby last month.
UsageSay last week, with no the.
Oppositenext
2
end of a seriesadjective
Coming at the end, after all the others, or the only one left.
Like the very end of a line, with no one standing behind you.
She crossed the finish line in last place.
The last chapter of the book answered every question.
UsageSay the last bus, or the last to arrive.
Similarfinal, closing, concluding
Oppositefirst, opening
Note
3
go on (time)verbintransitive
To keep going or stay in good condition for a period of time.
Like a candle that keeps burning before it finally goes out.
These batteries last for several hours of heavy use.
The fresh flowers lasted nearly two weeks.
UsageSay something lasts a long time.
Similarcontinue, endure, persist, survive
Note
4
most recentadjective
Most recent up to now, with no newer one yet.
Like the newest message sitting at the top of your chat.
The last update fixed several annoying bugs.
Her last album was her best one yet.
UsageHer last album can mean her newest one or her final one. Context tells you which.
Similarlatest, previous, recent
Oppositenext
Note
5
most recentlyadverb
At the most recent time before now.
When did you last see her?
I last visited that city years ago.
UsageSay When did you last see her?
Oppositefirst
Note
6
adverb
After all other things, at the very end.
Like the final name read out at the end of a list.
She spoke last, after all the other guests had finished.
We'll deal with that problem last.
UsageSay I'll go last.
Similarlastly, finally
Oppositefirst
Note

Less common meanings

7
verbtransitive
To be enough for what someone needs for a certain amount of time.
This bag of rice should last us until the end of the month.
Her savings lasted her only three weeks after she lost her job.
UsageSay This food will last us a week.
Note
8
least likelyadjective
Being the most unlikely or least wanted choice of all.
Like the name at the very bottom of a list you hope never to pick.
He's the last person I'd trust with a secret.
Quitting now is the last thing on my mind.
UsageSay He's the last person I'd trust.
Note
9
at the bottomadjective
Lowest in rank or worth, and least important.
He felt like the last and least important person in the room.
On the old team, he was last in rank and had to carry everyone's bags.
UsageSay someone came last.
Similarlowest, bottom, least
Oppositefirst, highest, top
Note
10
shoe formnouncountable
A foot-shaped block used to make or repair shoes.
The cobbler stretched the leather over a wooden last.
He kept an old last for reshaping his boots.
Note
11
utmostadjective
Greatest or highest in amount or degree.
Contending for principles of the last importance.
1802, Robert Hall, Reflections on War
UsageIn of the last importance, last means greatest, not least.
Similarutmost, greatest, highest, supreme
Note
12
delay orgasmverbslangintransitive
To hold yourself back on purpose so you do not reach orgasm.
He breathed slowly to last longer in bed.
With practice, he learned to last until his partner was ready too.
Note
13
every singleadjective
Used after "every" to say that all of them are included, with not one left out.
She ate every last cookie on the plate.
Every last kid in the class got a prize at the party.
Similarsingle
14
verb
To shape a shoe by fitting it over a foot-shaped block.
15
verbobsolete
To do or carry out a task or order.
16
nounobsolete
A heavy load or cargo carried from place to place.
17
nounobsolete
An old unit for measuring large amounts of goods or a ship's cargo.
The last of wool is twelve sacks.
1866, James Edwin Thorold Rogers, A History of Agriculture and Prices in EnglandHere, last means an old unit for measuring a large amount of goods.

More uses

every lastevery single one, with none left out

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of last apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origins

Meanings 1–2, 4–6, 8–9, 11, 13

A shortened form of the English word "latest."

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 1 fact

Last originated as a shortened form of latest. en.wiktionary.org

Meanings 3, 7, 12

From Old English lǣstan, an old Germanic word. It is related to German leisten, meaning "yield."

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 3 facts

Last derives from Old English lǣstan and has Germanic ancestry. en.wiktionary.org
Last is related to German leisten. en.wiktionary.org
German leisten can mean yield. en.wiktionary.org

Meaning 10

From Old English lǣste, from an old Germanic root meaning "footprint."

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 2 facts

The shoemaking noun last derives from Old English lǣste. en.wiktionary.org
The word ultimately comes from an old Germanic form meaning footprint. en.wikipedia.org