penultimate

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/pɪˈnʌltɪmət/
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The position immediately before the final one, most often as a formal adjective and also as a noun for that next-to-last item or syllable.
Practice using penultimate in conversation until it feels natural

Examples

  • The editor checked the penultimate before approving the last entry.
  • In the list of syllables, the penultimate carries the stress.
  • Only the penultimate and the last remained on the board.
  • His penultimate stop was a small station outside York.
  • The stress falls on the penultimate syllable.

Similar words

next-to-last
penult
second-to-last
almost final
second-to-last item
last but one
second-to-last
one before last
last but one
next-to-last item

Meanings

Second from the end

adjective
everyday
formal
Coming immediately before the final person, thing, stage, or event in an ordered series.

Examples

  • The penultimate chapter leaves one mystery unsolved.
  • She missed the penultimate train and caught the last one instead.
  • The team scored during the penultimate minute of the match.
  • His penultimate stop was a small station outside York.
  • The recipe adds the herbs in the penultimate step.

Similar words

second-to-last
next-to-last
last but one
one before last
almost final
preceding the last

Next-to-last item

noun
everyday
formal
The person, thing, or syllable that occupies the position immediately before the final one.

Examples

  • The penultimate was crossed out before the final answer was written.
  • In the list of syllables, the penultimate carries the stress.
  • The editor checked the penultimate before approving the last entry.
  • The penultimate of the sequence is easier to remember than the final term.
  • Only the penultimate and the last remained on the board.

Similar words

penult
penultima
second-to-last item
next-to-last item
last but one

Etymology

Recorded in English in the late 17th century, from Latin paenultimus, from paene meaning almost and ultimus meaning last, shaped in English after ultimate.

FAQ

What does penultimate mean?

Penultimate means second from the end, with exactly one item after it.

Is penultimate the same as ultimate?

No. Ultimate means last or final, while penultimate means immediately before the last.

Can penultimate be a noun?

Yes. It can mean the next-to-last item, especially in formal writing or when referring to a syllable.

What is a penultimate syllable?

It is the syllable immediately before the last syllable of a word.

What comes before penultimate?

Antepenultimate names the position before the penultimate one, third from the end.

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