last

Last is a word with several distinct uses in English, spanning grammar, everyday speech, and specialized terms. It also appears as a surname and in various proper nouns. The term is rooted in Old English and related Germanic languages, with its core sense tied to time, sequence, or duration.

As an adjective, last means final in a series or most recent in a sequence. It is used for time references (the last week, the last year) and to denote the final item in a set (the last chapter). In phrases such as last but not least, it marks something that is included despite being further down a list.

As a noun, last refers to the final item in a sequence or to the most recently mentioned thing. It is also a specialized term in shoemaking and tailoring: a last is a foot-shaped mold used to shape shoes during construction.

As a verb, to last means to endure or continue for a period of time. Something that lasts persists through time, as in a battery that lasts all day, or a friendship that lasts for decades. The past tense is lasted, and the present participle is lasting.

Beyond these core senses, Last appears as a surname and in various place names and titles. In other languages, cognate terms may carry different meanings related to time, burden, or endpoint, but these are distinct from the English uses covered here.

In summary, Last functions as an adjective describing finality, a noun for the final item or a shoemaking form, and a verb meaning to endure. Its usage depends on context, but all senses share a link to time, sequence, or persistence.