last

determiner, adverb, noun, verb-see also LAST determiner 1 happening or coming after all other similar things or people: We caught the last bus home. * It's the last house on the left. * She was last to arrive. 2 [onlybeforenoun] most recent: last night / Tuesday / month / summer / year * her last book * This last point is crucial. 3 [onlybeforenoun] only remaining SYNFINAL: This is our last bottle of wine. * He knew this was his last hope of winning. * I wouldn't marry you if you were the last person on earth! 4 used to emphasize that sb/sth is the least likely or suitable: The last thing she needed was more work. * He's the last person I'd trust with a secret. IDIOMS be on your / its last legs to be going to die or stop functioning very soon; to be very weak or in bad condition the day, week, month, etc. before last the day, week, etc. just before the most recent one; two days, weeks, etc. ago: I haven't seen him since the summer before last. every last... every person or thing in a group: We spent every last penny we had on the house. have the last laugh to be successful when you were not expected to be, making your opponents look stupid in the last resort when there are no other possible courses of action: In the last resort we can always walk home. your / the last gasp the point at which you/sth can no longer continue living, fighting, existing, etc. the last minute / moment the latest possible time before an important event: They changed the plans at the last minute. * Don't leave your decision to the last moment. a / your last resort the person or thing you rely on when everything else has failed: I've tried everyone else and now you're my last resort. the last word (in sth) the most recent, fashionable, advanced, etc. thing: These apartments are the last word in luxury. moreatANALYSIS, BREATH, FAMOUS, LONGadj., MANn., STRAW, THING, WEEK, WORDn.

1 after anyone or anything else; at the end: He came last in the race. * They arrived last of all. 2 most recently: When did you see him last? * I saw him last / I last saw him in New York two years ago. * They last won the cup in 1995. IDIOMS last but not least used when mentioning the last person or thing of a group, in order to say that they are not less important than the others: Last but not least, I'd like to thank all the catering staff. last in, first out used, for example in a situation when people are losing their jobs, to say that the last people to be employed will be the first to go moreatFIRSTadv. noun (the last) (plural the last) 1 the person or thing that comes or happens after all other similar people or things: Sorry I'm late-am I the last? * They were the last to arrive. 2 ~ of sth the only remaining part or items of sth: These are the last of our apples. IDIOMS at (long) last after much delay, effort, etc.; in the end SYNFINALLY: At last we're home! * At long last the cheque arrived. -< LASTLY hear / see the last of sb/sth to hear/see sb/sth for the last time: That was the last I ever saw of her. * Unfortunately, I don't think we've heard the last of this affair. the last I heard (spoken) used to give the most recent news you have about sb/sth: The last I heard he was still working at the garage. to / till the last until the last possible moment, especially until death: He died protesting his innocence to the last. moreatBREATHE, FIRSTn.