finale
/fɪˈnɑːli/ (bre, ipa) · /fɪˈnæli/ (ame, ipa) · /fə-ˈna-lē fi-ˈnä-/ (ame, mw)
finale — noun
- finalesingular
- finalesplural
1. the dramatic ending of a concert, opera, ballet, play, or film — usually a vivid
the dramatic ending of a concert, opera, ballet, play, or film — usually a vivid, emotionally charged passage that sends the audience out on a high.
The orchestra played the grand finale of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony with extraordinary power.
collocation: grand finale
Hamza wept during the finale of the ballet when the heroine returned to the stage.
the finale of + performance noun
Fireworks lit up the harbour as the finale of the New Year concert began.
The dancers held their final pose for ten seconds during the show's spectacular finale.
- climax
broader — any peak moment, not necessarily the closing one
- conclusion
neutral; lacks the dramatic charge of 'finale'
- coda
technical music term for a closing passage; quieter and more formal than 'finale'
文法句型
the finale of [performance]
用法筆記
Subject is usually a staged work (symphony, opera, ballet, play, film). Often modified by 'grand', 'spectacular', 'rousing', or 'dramatic'.
常見錯誤
2. the closing episode of a season or of a whole television show, often watched by
the closing episode of a season or of a whole television show, often watched by a large audience because it resolves the storylines.
Talia and Imani stayed up late to watch the finale of their favourite mystery series.
the finale of + show
Around twenty million viewers tuned in for the season finale on Sunday night.
collocation: season finale
The series finale tied up every loose end and gave each character a proper goodbye.
Fans argued online for weeks about the disappointing finale of the popular drama.
- ending
neutral and general; doesn't imply a single episode
- conclusion
formal; could refer to plot rather than episode
文法句型
the finale of [TV series]
the series/season finale
用法筆記
Distinguish 'season finale' (end of one season) from 'series finale' (end of the whole show); American usage in particular keeps these strictly separate.
常見錯誤
3. any closing moment of an event or sequence that brings it to a memorable, often
any closing moment of an event or sequence that brings it to a memorable, often thrilling or emotional, end — used figuratively beyond music and theatre.
Eve's winning goal in the final minute was a perfect finale to the tournament.
a + adjective + finale to + event
The chef brought out a flaming dessert as the finale of the eight-course tasting menu.
Tara's retirement speech was a moving finale to forty years at the hospital.
The mayor described the bridge opening as a fitting finale to a decade of work.
- climax
the highest point; doesn't have to be the very end
- culmination
the result of a long process; more formal and less theatrical
- swansong
specifically a final performance or act before retirement
- beginning
the opening of any event or sequence
文法句型
a finale to [event]
a fitting finale
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1: this sense applies to non-performance events (tournaments, meals, careers, projects). Often takes 'fitting' or 'perfect' when the ending feels appropriate to what preceded it.