1. A 最后的，最终的　 of the end
2. P 决定性的，确定性的　 decisive; conclusive; that cannot be changed

　～ aim　最终目标
　～ answer　最后的答复
　～ appearance　告别表演
　～ chance　最后的机会
　～ examination　期终考试
　～ score　最后的比分
　～ victory　最后胜利
　become ～　已了结，成了定局

　The final word "goodbye" was premature.　最后这个“再见”说得太早了。
　The final cost of building the houses was much more than they had bargained on.　修建那幢房屋最后的费用比他们原来预计的高出许多。
　The two boxers battled until the final bell.　两名拳击手争斗直到最后铃响。
　We are hopeful of our final victory.　我们对自己最后的胜利抱有希望。
　You'd be insane to let him have the final say.　你要让他最后说了算，那你可蠢透了。
　The air was instinct with emotion when the aging actress made her final appearance on stage.　当这位年老女演员做告别演出时，剧场内充满着热情洋溢的气氛。
　After a long and heated discussion, the final agreement was arrived in the end.　经过长时间热烈的讨论，终于达成了最后协议。
　The Tax Bureau has agreed the final balance of your profit.　税务局已审查认定你的利润余额。
　Students who get very high marks are exempt from the final examination.　得到高分的学生期终考试可以免试。
　Don't argue with me, my decision is final.　不要和我争辩了，我的决定是最终决定。
　Her divorce from Brooks became final.　她与布鲁克斯的离婚成了定局。

 ♣ final, last
　这两个词都有“最后的”意思，常可互换使用。例如：
　I will think the matter over and give you a final〔last〕 answer.　我考虑一下这个问题，然后给你一个答复。
　它们之间的区别是：在语义上， final较last强， final强调最终结局，含有某事物已彻底完成，不容更改，也不可能有后继者之意；last仅仅是陈述事实，即连续顺序中的最后一个，并不一定是最终。另外， last一般要加定冠词the. 试比较：

1. P 决赛　 last of a series of contests or competitions
2. P （大学的）期终考试　 the last and most important examinations in a college course

　fail ～s　期末考试未及格
　pass one's ～s　通过课程期终考试
　prepare for one's ～s　准备期末考试
　reach the ～s　进入决赛
　take ～s　参加期末考试
　history ～　历史期末考试
　tennis ～s　网球决赛
　the World Cup F-　世界杯决赛
　at〔in〕 the ～s　在决赛中

　I never expected to get through to the finals.　我从没有期望进入决赛。
　We hope to qualify for the finals.　我们希望取得决赛资格。
　The winners of the semifinals, namely Smith and Jones, go forward to the finals.　半决赛的优胜者，即史密斯和琼斯，进入决赛。
　At the finals, they lost to France.　在决赛中，他们输给了法国队。
　When do you take your finals?　你什么时候期终考试?
　England beat Germany in the World Cup Final.　在世界杯决赛中，英格兰队击败了德国队。
　Cage is studying for the English final.　凯奇正在准备英语科的期终考试。
　I bought the late night final.　我买了晚报的最后版。

　［同义词］ adj. concluding, last, terminal, ultimate
　［反义词］ adj. beginning, first, foremost, initial
　［词源］　拉丁语finalis