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penultimate

puh-NUL-tuh-muht/pəˈnəltəmət/UKpi-NUL-ti-muht/pɪˈnʌltɪmət/

Noun pluralpenultimates

5 meanings of penultimate

Practice

  1. 1
    adjective
    Second from the end, just before the last one.

    We got off the train at the penultimate stop and walked the rest of the way.

    I liked the penultimate song of the concert best.

    UsageIt means second to last, not the best.

    Note
  2. 2
    the second-last onenouncountable
    The item just before the last one, especially a syllable, and long ago also the day before a month's last day.

    Of the four songs, the penultimate was slow, and the last one was loud and fast.

    This week's episode is the penultimate, and the finale airs next Sunday.

    Note
  3. 3
    very bestadjectivenonstandard
    The very best or greatest of its kind.

    "This is the penultimate pizza, seriously the best ever," my cousin said.

    The sign promised "the penultimate experience in comfort."

    UsageTo mean the best, say ultimate (not incorrect: penultimate).

    Similarultimate, best, finest

Less common meanings

  1. 4
    nounrarecountable
    In card games, the second-lowest card of one suit.
    Penultimate, the. — Beginning with the lowest card but one of the suit you lead originally, if it contains more than four cards.
    1876, Arthur Campbell-Walker, The Correct CardHere, Penultimate means the second-lowest card in a suit.

    Similarpenult

    Note
  2. 5
    adjectiverare
    In math, describing a curve in a family of curves that has almost collapsed into a simpler shape.
    Note

Practice

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Origins

Meanings 1, 3, 5

From Latin words meaning “almost” and “last.”

Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 1 fact

  • Penultimate derives from Latin words meaning “almost” and “last.” en.wiktionary.org
Meanings 2, 4

From the adjective penultimate, used as a noun.

Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 1 fact

  • The noun penultimate derives from the adjective penultimate used as a noun. en.wiktionary.org