/ ˈfaɪnl; NAmE / adjective , noun
■ adjective
1.
[ only before noun ] being or happening at the end of a series of events, actions, statements, etc. :
his final act as party leader
The referee blew the final whistle.
The project is in its final stages.
I'd like to return to the final point you made.
2.
[ only before noun ] being the result of a particular process :
the final product
No one could have predicted the final outcome.
3.
that cannot be argued with or changed :
The judge's decision is final .
Who has the final say around here?
I'll give you $500 for it, and that's my final offer !
I'm not coming, and that's final ! (= I will not change my mind)
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IDIOMS
see analysis , straw , word noun
■ noun
1.
[ C ] the last of a series of games or competitions in which the winner is decided :
She reached the final of the 100m hurdles.
the 2006 World Cup Finals (= the last few games in the competition)
The winner of each contest goes through to the grand final .
—see also quarter-final , semi-final
2.
finals [ pl. ] ( BrE ) the last exams taken by university students at the end of their final year :
to sit / take your finals
3.
[ C ] ( NAmE ) an exam taken by school, university or college students at the end of a semester or quarter , usually in a topic that they will not study again
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English (in the adjectival sense conclusive ): from Old French , or from Latin finalis , from finis end. Compare with finish .