ultimate

[uhl-tuh-mit]

adjective

1. last; furthest or farthest; ending a process or series.

   the ultimate point in a journey; the ultimate style in hats.

   Synonyms: uttermost, extreme

2. maximum; decisive; conclusive.

   the ultimate authority; the ultimate weapon.

   Synonyms: supreme

3. highest; not subsidiary.

   ultimate goal in life.

4. basic; fundamental; representing a limit beyond which further progress, as in investigation or analysis, is impossible.

   the ultimate particle; ultimate principles.

5. final; total.

   the ultimate consequences; the ultimate cost of a project.

   Antonyms: first

6. not to be improved upon or surpassed; greatest; unsurpassed.

   the ultimate vacation spot; the ultimate stupidity.

noun

1. the final point; final result.

2. a fundamental fact or principle.

3. the best, greatest, or most extreme of its kind.

ultimate

/ ˈʌltɪmɪt /

adjective

1. conclusive in a series or process; last; final

   an ultimate question

2. the highest or most significant

   the ultimate goal

3. elemental, fundamental, basic, or essential

4. most extreme

   genocide is the ultimate abuse of human rights

5. final or total

   an ultimate cost of twenty million pounds

noun

1. the most significant, highest, furthest, or greatest thing

Other Word Forms

• ultimateness noun
• ultimately adverb
• subultimate adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ultimate¹

First recorded in 1645–55; from Late Latin ultimātus (past participle of ultimāre “to come to an end”), equivalent to Latin ultim(us) “last, most distant” + -ātus past participle suffix; ultima, -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of ultimate¹

C17: from Late Latin ultimāre to come to an end, from Latin ultimus last, from ulter distant

Synonym Study

See last ¹.

Example Sentences

Or when a nurse administers a painful treatment to a terminally ill patient, knowing it is not likely to change the patient’s ultimate fate in any way.

From Salon

Szabo, while addressing the council, called the decision on the expansion “the ultimate judgment call that only you can make.”

From Los Angeles Times

Now firmly positioned as members of the family, dogs are enjoying human-grade food in their owners’ hopes of postponing their ultimate demise.

From Los Angeles Times

The wedding, an ultimate happy ending for the couple after their tumultuous three-season journey of first love and heartbreak, was originally revealed in the epilogue of Han’s third “Summer” novel, “We’ll Always Have Summer.”

From Los Angeles Times

“Most people traditionally thought of L.A. as the ultimate escape, the official giant suburb, and, of course, it just isn’t anymore,” Sellars says.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• preeminent 
• transcendent 
• utmost