ultimate

Universal Words adjective, noun adjective [onlybeforenoun] 1 happening at the end of a long process SYNFINAL: our ultimate goal / aim / objective / target * We will accept ultimate responsibility for whatever happens. * The ultimate decision lies with the parents. 2 most extreme; best, worst, greatest, most important, etc: This race will be the ultimate test of your skill. * Silk sheets are the ultimate luxury. * Nuclear weapons are the ultimate deterrent. 3 from which sth originally comes; basic SYNFUNDAMENTAL: the ultimate truths of philosophy and science * We could not trace the ultimate source of the rumours. noun [sing.] the ~ in sth (informal) the best, most advanced, greatest, etc. of its kind: the ultimate in modern design