last word

IPA/ˌlɑːst ˈwɜːd/
IPA/ˌlæst ˈwɝːd/

last word — noun

1. the final thing someone says in a conversation or disagreement, often because th

1.nounB2
Definition

the final thing someone says in a conversation or disagreement, often because they want to appear to have won or to have the upper hand

Example

Naoko always has to have the last word in every meeting.

have the last word — pattern for claiming the final say

After the heated argument, Gabriel slammed the door to get the last word.

get the last word through a dramatic action

Common collocations
  • have the last word
  • get the last word
  • want the last word
  • always has the last word
Synonyms
  • final say

    less confrontational; more often about formal decisions than personal arguments

  • closing remark

    neutral; simply the last thing said, without the suggestion of winning

Grammar Patterns

have the last word

get the last word

Usage Note

Always used with a possessive or article: 'the last word', 'have the last word'. The subject is almost always a person.

Common Mistakes

She said the final word on the topic and left.
She had the last word on the topic and left.
'last word' is the natural fixed phrase; 'final word' sounds like a direct translation from another language.

2. the right or power to make the final decision about something, without anyone be

2.nounB2
Definition

the right or power to make the final decision about something, without anyone being able to overturn it

Example

Adaeze, the hospital's finance director, has the last word on all equipment purchases over ten thousand dollars.

has the last word on — the authority pattern

Greta told the team that the editor would have the last word on headlines.

Common collocations
  • have the last word on
  • get the last word on
  • has the final word on
Synonyms
  • final authority

    more formal; emphasises recognised institutional power

  • veto power

    specifically the power to block a decision, not necessarily to make one

  • final say

    very close synonym; 'final say' is slightly less emphatic about formal authority

Grammar Patterns

have the last word on

get the last word on

Usage Note

Followed by 'on' + the matter being decided. The subject can be a person, a committee, or even a document that carries authority.

Common Mistakes

The manager has the last word to decide the budget.
The manager has the last word on the budget.
use 'on', not 'to decide'.

3. a book, report, or statement that is widely accepted as the most complete and au

3.nounC1
Definition

a book, report, or statement that is widely accepted as the most complete and authoritative treatment of a subject

Example

Professor Jabari's book is still the last word on medieval pottery techniques.

be the last word on — the definitive-work pattern

Structural engineers worldwide consider Yamamoto's Handbook the last word on earthquake-resistant bridge design.

Common collocations
  • the last word on
  • be the last word on
  • remain the last word on
  • considered the last word on
Synonyms

Grammar Patterns

be the last word on

remain the last word on

Usage Note

Typically used with 'on' + topic. The subject is usually a published work (book, article, report) rather than a person. Distinguish from sense 2: here the emphasis is on being the most complete reference, not on decision-making power.

4. the newest, most stylish, or most technologically advanced example of something

4.nounB2
Definition

the newest, most stylish, or most technologically advanced example of something in a particular field

Example

The latest Nova Labs model claims to be the last word in noise-cancelling headphone technology.

the last word in — the latest-example pattern

The rooftop restaurant at the Silom Grand Bangkok is the last word in modern city dining.

Common collocations
  • the last word in
  • be the last word in
  • represent the last word in
Synonyms
  • state of the art

    used as an adjective phrase: 'state-of-the-art technology'; emphasises technical advancement

  • cutting edge

    also used adjectivally; emphasises innovation and novelty over style

Grammar Patterns

be the last word in

represent the last word in

Usage Note

Always followed by 'in', never 'on' or 'of'. The subject is an object, place, or creation — never a person. Distinguish from sense 3: this sense is about being the newest and most fashionable, not about being authoritative.

Common Mistakes

This car is the last word of speed.
This car is the last word in speed.
this sense always uses 'in', never 'of'.

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

While 'the last word' and 'final say' both describe having the concluding input, they differ in tone and setting. 'The last word' suggests a personal conversation where one person insists on speaking last, often in casual or domestic arguments. 'Final say' implies recognised authority — a boss, judge, or committee chair who makes the binding decision regardless of who spoke most recently. A 'parting shot' is a sharp, often hurtful remark delivered as someone exits, meant to wound rather than to win a debate. A 'closing argument' belongs to formal settings such as trials or structured debates, where each side gets a designated final statement. A teenager may slam her door and shout a parting shot; her father may later have the last word at dinner. A board chair, by contrast, holds the final say on spending no matter how long the discussion lasted.

final sayparting shot ↗closing argument

Etymology

Old EnglishEnglish

The phrase 'last word' combines 'last' (final) with 'word' (unit of speech). Its earliest use, dating from the early 19th century, referred to having the final utterance in a dispute — the person who speaks last appears to win. The meaning 'final authority or power to decide' emerged in legal and administrative contexts by the late 19th century. The sense of 'the most fashionable or advanced example' developed in the early 20th century, likely from the idea that the latest thing has the final say on what is current.

First known use

1509

1509, in the meaning defined at sense 1