Collins English-English Dictionary

last [lɑːst]

1. 1. adj [often prenominal] being, happening, or coming at the end or after all others

   the last horse in the race

2. 2. adj being or occurring just before the present; most recent

   last Thursday

3. 3. adj only remaining

   one's last cigarette

4. 4. adj most extreme; utmost

5. 5. adj least suitable, appropriate, or likely

   he was the last person I would have chosen

6. 6. adj final or ultimate

   last rites

7. 7. adj (capital)

   the Last Judgment

8. 8. adj [postpositive] [Liverpool] [dialect] inferior, unpleasant, or contemptible

   this ale is last

9. 9. adv after all others; at or in the end

   he came last

10. 10. adv most recently

    he was last seen in the mountains

11. 11. adv (in combination)

    last-mentioned

12. 12. adv [sentence modifier] as the last or latest item

13. 13. n one's last moments before death

14. 14. n the last thing a person can do (esp in the phrase breathe one's last)

15. 15. n the final appearance, mention, or occurrence

    we've seen the last of him

16. 16. n [Etymology] variant of Old English latest, lætest, superlative of late

17. 17. n [Usage] Since last can mean either after all others or most recent, it is better to avoid using this word where ambiguity might arise as in her last novel. Final or latest should be used in such contexts to avoid ambiguity

last [lɑːst]

1. 1. vb [when intr, often foll by for] to remain in being (for a length of time); continue

   his hatred lasted for several years

2. 2. vb to be sufficient for the needs of (a person) for (a length of time)

   it will last us until Friday

3. 3. vb [when intr, often foll by for] to remain fresh, uninjured, or unaltered (for a certain time or duration)

   he lasted for three hours underground

4. 4. vb See also last out

5. 5. vb [Etymology] Old English læstan; related to Gothic laistjan to follow

last [lɑːst]

1. 1. n the wooden or metal form on which a shoe or boot is fashioned or repaired

2. 2. vt. [tr] to fit (a shoe or boot) on a last

3. 3. vt. [Etymology] Old English læste, from last footprint; related to Old Norse leistr foot, Gothic laists

last [lɑːst]

1. 1. n a unit of weight or capacity having various values in different places and for different commodities. Commonly used values are 2 tons, 2000 pounds, 80 bushels, or 640 gallons

2. 2. n [Etymology] Old English hlæst load; related to hladan to lade¹