final

Final is a term used to designate the last item in a sequence or the ultimate outcome of a process. As an adjective it describes the final stage, end, or culmination, and as a noun it can refer to the last game, round, or assessment that decides a winner or result. The word comes from Latin finis meaning end, passing into English via several intermediate forms over centuries.

In sports and competitions, a final is the decisive match that determines the champion. Finals often occur after a series of earlier rounds or legs and may be single or double-elimination. The event is typically highly anticipated and carries heightened significance, with trophy awards, records, and headlines centered on the final outcome.

In education and examinations, a final (or final exam) is an assessment administered at the end of a course to determine a student’s final grade. Final evaluations may weigh heavily in overall marks and can influence degree or advancement decisions. In law and governance, the term final can describe judgments or orders that are binding and not subject to later revision within a particular appellate framework.

In computing, final is a keyword in several programming languages. In Java, a final variable cannot be reassigned, a final method cannot be overridden, and a final class cannot be subclassed. Similar concepts exist in other languages, often used to enforce immutability or to prevent modification of key behavior.

Beyond these uses, final can appear in cultural contexts as part of phrases like “season finale” or in titles and branding where the word signals completion or conclusiveness.