uiteindelijk

Uiteindelijk is a Dutch adverb meaning in the end, eventually, or ultimately. It is used to express the final result after a process, discussion, or series of events. The word is common in both spoken and written Dutch and can introduce the outcome of negotiations, planning, or decision-making. Examples: “Na lange onderhandelingen besloot het bestuur uiteindelijk toch akkoord te gaan.” “Uiteindelijk is het plan goedgekeurd.”

Etymology and related forms: the term is built from eind (end) with prefix uit- and the suffix associated with adverbial or adjectival forms, yielding a meaning focused on the final result after a process. The adjectival form uiteindelijke (as in de uiteindelijke beslissing) is often used to describe the final outcome, while uiteindelijk itself functions as the adverb presenting that outcome. In nuance, eindelijk and uiteindelijk are related but not always interchangeable: eindelijk often carries a sense of relief or a decisive moment, whereas uiteindelijk emphasizes the eventual conclusion after consideration or development.

Usage notes: uiteindelijk is a neutral, versatile term suitable for diverse registers, from journalism to scholarly writing and everyday speech. It can appear at the beginning or in the middle of a clause to mark a conclusion: “Uiteindelijk gaat het om de resultaten” or “Het plan leek eerst risky, maar uiteindelijk werd het uitgevoerd.” It is commonly placed before the main verb in main clauses and pairs well with verbs of decision, realization, or conclusion.