last

I UK [lɑːst] / US [læst] adjective, adverb, determiner, noun, pronoun ***

Summary:

Last can be used in the following ways: - as a determiner (followed by a noun): I saw him last night. ♦ I wasn't here last time. - as an adjective (after a determiner and before a noun): My last job was in London. ♦ I ate the last piece of cake. (after the verb "to be"): I was last in the race. - as a pronoun (after "the"): Their new CD is even better than the last. ♦ And that was the last I saw of him. - as an adverb: When did you see him last? ♦ I put my shoes on last. - as a noun (followed by "of"): I drank up the last of the wine.

1) used for referring to the week, month, year etc that ended most recently

last week/year/Saturday etc:

How did you boys sleep last night?

Last year the company made a profit of £350 million.

a) used for referring to a period of time that has continued up to the present

the last week/month/year etc:

Over the last 15 years there has been a 50% increase in the traffic on our roads.

During the last hour we have been receiving reports of an explosion in the city centre.

b) used for referring to a particular event, occasion, person, or thing that is the most recent one of its kind

The last time we met both of us had just started new jobs.

They've had only one win from their last eight matches.

I'm afraid I don't agree with that last comment.

I had my last child at home.

His next book will be even better than his last.

I last saw her three years ago.

2) happening or coming at the end after all the others

I swear this is the last cigarette I will ever smoke.

Fry the onions until crisp, and add them last.

Tonight's performance is the last in a series.

the last of:

When the last of the lorries had gone by, the street was reopened.

the last to do something:

Janice was the last to leave.

Why am I always the last to find out about these parties?

the last someone sees/hears of:

His plane disappeared into the clouds, and that was the last we ever saw of him.

3) used for referring to someone or something that remains after all the rest have gone, or to part of an amount that remains after the rest has been used

I wouldn't marry him if he was the last man on earth.

the last surviving copy of the manuscript

I hope to be among the last four in the tournament.

the last of:

He is the last of his generation.

Who wants the last of the ice cream?

4) used for emphasizing that someone or something is not at all likely, suitable, or wanted in a particular situation

The last thing we need is a tax rise.

Hurting you is the last thing I'd want to do.

I'm the last person you should be asking for advice.

•

at the last moment/minute — when it is almost too late

She must have changed her mind at the last moment and decided not to come.

at (long) last — used for saying that something you have been waiting for finally happens

I'm so glad to meet you at last.

Then – at long last – their wedding day finally arrived.

last (of all) — used for introducing a final remark or piece of information

Last of all, let me remind you that our next meeting will be on June 24th.

last thing (at night) — at the end of the day before you go to bed

I like to have a hot drink last thing at night.

leave/save/keep something until last — to delay dealing with or using something until you have dealt with or used all the other things

Let's save the champagne until last.

next/second to last= last but one — used for referring to the occasion, person, or thing that comes just before the last one in a series, list, or group

Tomorrow they will play their last but one game of the season.

Baker finished next to last in the 1500 metres race.

the night/week/year etc before last — the night/week/year etc before the most recent one

I haven't slept much since the night before last.

- if it's the last thing I do

- last but not least

- the last I heard

- last in, first out

- on its last legs

- on your last legs

- to the last

See:

hear, resort I, see I

II UK [lɑːst] / US [læst] verb
Word forms "last":
present tense I/you/we/they last he/she/it lasts present participle lasting past tense lasted past participle lasted
***

1) [intransitive] to continue existing or happening for or until a particular time

The game lasts 80 minutes.

last for/until/through etc:

The hearing is scheduled to last for two weeks.

The violence lasted until dawn the next morning.

a) [intransitive] to continue existing or happening without changing or failing

He woke up in a good mood, and I'm just hoping it will last.

These cars are built to last.

b) [intransitive/transitive] to continue to be available, or to be enough for what people need

The water won't last long.

last for:

The supplies would last for only another few days.

last someone a day/two months etc:

Eighty pounds usually lasted him about a week.

2) [intransitive] to continue to stay alive or be well, or to continue to be able to do a job, in spite of difficulties

I can't last much longer without sleep.

He won't last long as captain if he upsets the rest of the team.

Phrasal verbs:

- last out

III UK [lɑːst] / US [læst] noun [countable]
Word forms "last":
singular last plural lasts

a metal, wooden, or plastic model in the shape of a human foot, used by someone who makes shoes