Meaning of last In English

• 0 (the person or thing) after everyone or everything else:

  • [ + to infinitive ] I hate being the last one to arrive at a meeting.

  • Our house is the last one on the left before the traffic lights.

  • The Mets will surely finish the season in last place (= at the lowest rank of their division).

  • I know Johnson finished last in the race, but who was second to last (= the one before the one at the end)?

  • I don't know why he bothers to bet - his horses always come in last.

  • At the last moment (= as late as possible) he changed his mind.

  • He always leaves important decisions to the last (possible) moment (= as late as possible).

  • I've finished my essay at last!

  • At long last the government is starting to listen to our problems.

  • Three extra people to feed - that's the last thing I need!

  • The last thing I wanted was to make you unhappy.

  • Matthew is the last person I'd expect to be interested in dance.

  • He's the last person I'd trust with my keys.

  • I'll switch on the washing machine last thing so it'll be finished when I get up in the morning.

  • He never even thanked me, so that's the last time I do him a favour.

• 1 (being) the only one or part that is left:

  • Do you mind if I have the last chocolate?

  • I'm down to my last dollar - could I borrow some money for lunch?

  • I'm afraid Martha's eaten the last of the ice cream.

  • She was the last of the great educational reformers.

• 2 (being) the most recent or the one before the present one:

  • Did you hear the storm last night (= during the previous night)?

  • Did you see the news on TV last night (= yesterday evening)?

  • They got married last November.

  • When was the last time you had a cigarette?

  • When did you last have a cigarette?

  • She's been working there for the last month (= for the four weeks until now).

  • formal Could you account for your whereabouts on Sunday last?

  • The/These last five years have been very difficult for him.

  • The last we heard of her, she was working as an English teacher in France.

  • Each of her paintings has been better than the last.

• 3 to continue to exist:

  • The meeting lasted two hours.

  • The drought lasted for several months.

  • They say the snow will last until the end of next week.

  • I can't see the ceasefire lasting.

  • They haven't had an argument for two weeks, but it's too good to last (= they'll have an argument soon).

  • I doubt their enthusiasm will last.

  • He's working very efficiently at the moment, but it won't last.

  • There's no point buying something that isn't going to last.

  • The cheaper washing machines should last about five years.

  • This pen should last (you) a lifetime if you take care of it.

  • Her previous secretary only lasted a month (= left after this period).

• 4 the person or thing after everyone or everything else:

  • Heather was the last to go to bed and the first to get up.

• 5 the only one or part that is left:

  • Mark ate the last of the ice cream.

• 6 the most recent, or the one before the present one:

  • We had lunch together the week/month before last (= two weeks/months ago).

  • The last we heard, she was teaching English overseas.

  • Each of her novels seems better than the last.

• 7 being the least desirable or least likely:

  • Traveling across the country with two small children is the last thing I want to do.

• 8 to continue for a period of time, or to continue to exist:

  • [ I ] The tour lasts about an hour.

  • [ I ] She’s into soccer at the moment, but it won’t last.

  • [ L ] Her previous secretary only lasted a month.

  • [ I ] I’d rather pay a little more and buy clothing that’s going to last.

• 9 (coming) after everyone or everything else:

  • In math tests, American students came in last (= ranked the lowest).

  • He was last in line for tickets.

  • Our house is the last one on the left.

  • Despite recent wins, the team is still in last place (= lowest in rank among it competitors).

• 10 most recent, or most recently:

  • last night/week/month/year

  • last spring/summer/fall/winter

  • These last five years have been very difficult for him.

  • Kristal said in her last letter that she might come to visit.

  • When was the last time you went to the movies?

  • We last saw Grandma in 1994.

• 11 (in ending a set of items or a series of thoughts) finally:

  • The men begin the dance, then the women enter, and last, the children join in.