Ultimate: meaning, definitions and examples

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ultimate

[ˈʌltɪmət ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

power

Being the best or most extreme example of its kind.

Synonyms

paramount, supreme, utmost.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
ultimate	Use this word to describe the most important or final aspect of something. Often used to denote the end goal or maximum level achievable. Achieving world peace is the ultimate goal of many international organizations. Her ultimate decision was to move to another country.
supreme	Use this word to describe the highest rank, status, or authority. It often conveys an official or formal tone. The Supreme Court provides the final judgment in legal cases. She was treated as the supreme authority on ancient history in the university.
utmost	This word fits well when emphasizing the highest degree or the greatest amount of effort. Often used to highlight the extent of importance or effort. The coach emphasized the utmost effort during training sessions. Please handle this package with the utmost care.
paramount	This word is best used when describing something that is more important than anything else. It often emphasizes priority or urgent importance. Safety is of paramount importance in this construction project. For the leader, ensuring the team's well-being was paramount.

Examples of usage

The ultimate goal is to win the championship.
She reached the ultimate level of success in her career.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

sports

The final or decisive game or match in a competition.

Synonyms

championship, decisive, final.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
ultimate	Used to describe the best or most extreme example of something. Achieving the championship is the ultimate goal for any sports team. This is the ultimate guide to cooking.
final	Refers to the last part of something, like a competition or process. The final exam will cover all the material from the semester. They reached the final round of the tournament.
decisive	Used when something determines the outcome or resolves an issue definitively. Her decisive action saved the company. The decisive moment in the game came during the last quarter.
championship	Refers to a competition or tournament to find the best player or team. They won the national basketball championship. The team is training hard for the upcoming championship.

Examples of usage

The Super Bowl is the ultimate in American football.
She won the gold medal in the ultimate of the competition.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Latin 'ultimatus,' meaning 'last' or 'final.'
It originally referred to something being the farthest or most distant point.
In English, 'ultimate' has been used since the late 14th century to describe something as final or conclusive.

Pop Culture

'Ultimate' has been commonly used in video game titles to signify comprehensive experiences, such as 'Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.'
The term appears in various films, often used to describe the main battle or the final confrontation, elevating its dramatic impact.
In certain anime and comic series, characters who achieve their 'ultimate' form often display enhanced abilities, making it a central theme.

Psychology

The concept of 'ultimate satisfaction' relates to psychological theories of happiness, suggesting a sense of completeness in achieving goals.
In decision-making, people seek 'ultimate' outcomes that maximize their utility, reflecting a desire for optimal results.
Achievements described as 'ultimate' often lead to increased motivation and fulfillment in personal and professional life.

Literature

In literary analysis, characters may seek 'ultimate' truths or goals, driving the plot's conflict and resolution.
Philosophical works frequently explore what constitutes the 'ultimate' meaning of life, prompting deep existential questions.
'Ultimate' endings in stories often leave readers contemplating long after they finish, adding layers to narratives.

Science

In physics, the term can refer to fundamental forces, which represent the 'ultimate' building blocks of matter.
Biologically, the 'ultimate' expression of an organism’s traits influences its evolutionary success, linking to survival strategies.
In computer science, algorithms described as 'ultimate' are designed to be the most efficient or comprehensive for specific tasks.

Translations

Translations of the word "ultimate" in other languages:

🇵🇹 final

🇮🇳 अंतिम

🇩🇪 letzte

🇮🇩 terakhir

🇺🇦 останній

кінцевий
найвищий

🇵🇱 ostateczny

🇯🇵 究極的な

🇫🇷 ultime

🇪🇸 último

🇹🇷 nihai

🇰🇷 최종의

🇸🇦 نهائي

🇨🇿 konečný

🇸🇰 konečný

🇨🇳 最终的

🇸🇮 končni

🇮🇸 endanlegur

🇰🇿 соңғы

🇬🇪 საბოლოო

🇦🇿 son

🇲🇽 último

Word Frequency Rank

At position #2,701, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.

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