finally
A2Pronunciation
UK
- /fˈaɪnəli/
US
- /ˈfaɪnəli/
Description
- at last
- eventually
- in the end
- at long last
- ultimately
"Finally!" is what you say when something you have waited for happens at last. It shows relief, completion, or a sense of success after time, trouble, or waiting. You might finally finish a hard project or finally reach your destination after a long trip. It points to the end result after a wait.
The word suggests that something took longer than expected, and there is often emotion in it: relief, joy, or even annoyance. "After weeks of rain, the sun finally shone." Or, "I finally understood the instructions." Sometimes, finally is used sarcastically when something happens much later than it should.
The word "finally" marks a point of culmination: the arrival of an expected or desired outcome after a period of time, effort, or difficulty. It is more than just saying "eventually"; finally carries a sense of relief, satisfaction, or even exasperation that something has at last occurred.
Think about waiting for a bus in the pouring rain. When it arrives, you don't just say, "The bus came." You exclaim, "Finally!" It is an emotional release tied to the completion of a frustrating wait. Similarly, if you've been working on a complex puzzle for hours, saying, "I finally solved it!" conveys not only success but also the relief of overcoming a challenge.
"Finally" can be used in various contexts: describing the end of a process ("She finally finished writing her novel"), acknowledging a long-delayed event ("He finally called me back"), or expressing impatience ("They finally decided to fix the leaky roof").
It is important to note that finally often implies a degree of anticipation or expectation. If something happens unexpectedly, you wouldn't typically use "finally." It highlights the sense of closure after a period of waiting or striving. "After years of dreaming, she finally visited Paris," paints a picture of a long-held desire fulfilled.
So, whether it is marking the end of a struggle, celebrating an achievement, or simply acknowledging something that took too long, finally is a word that emphasizes completion and the emotions tied to reaching a desired outcome.
Examples
- 1
Travel delay
The train finally arrived just after midnight.
- 2
Finding something
I finally found my keys under the sofa.
- 3
Personal progress
After months of practice, she's finally confident enough to sing in public.
- 4
Admission
He finally admitted that he needed help.
- 5
Rest after work
If we finish early today, we can finally get some rest.
- 6
Problem solving
We finally figured out why the printer kept stopping.
- 7
Last step
Finally, click "Submit" at the bottom of the form.
Pattern
Finally, ...
introduces the last step or last item
- 8
Last topic
And finally, here's the sports news.
Phrase
And finally, ...
introduces the last topic in a talk or report
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- finallyadverb