1
: after a prolonged time : at the end of period of time
Two hours later, the train finally arrived.
He finally got around to calling.
I'm so happy to finally meet you!
It finally dawned on me what she'd meant.
2
a
: as the last act or occurrence in a series : in the end : eventually
After many attempts, they finally gave up.
"My career meandered all over the place and I finally settled on comedic acting. …"—
Cassandra Peterson
Cassandra Peterson"He listened to the whole thing, very attentive, and finally he turned to the doctor and he said, 'I have a question.'"—Russell Newman
Russell Newman
b
: by way of conclusion : as the last point
"… Finally, I'd like to thank the fans for their great support …"—Joe Girardi
Joe Girardi
c
: in the end : ultimately
What finally matters is whether you're likely to drink enough of the organisms to make you sick.—Peter Jaret
Peter Jaret3
old-fashioned
: in a final manner : in a way that does not allow change
I have reason for asking this question which you have answered so finally.—Willa Cather
Willa CatherShe said it so finally … that Mr. Pumblechook … could not protest.—Charles Dickens
Charles Dickens… the power to decide finally and conclusively upon all motions made in the course of legislative proceedings …—John G. Carlisle
John G. CarlisleExamples of finally in a Sentence
we're making steady progress and may finally finish this project
Recent Examples on the Web
That was the year House Republicans finally ended the majority Democrats had first won in 1954.
—David Mark, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
Then the hurricane continued on a more northward path around the islands and finally began weakening after powerful 145 mph winds tapered off.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
All models finally get 120Hz ProMotion displays and a minor camera bump, with 48MP sensors and better low-light performance.
—Charlie Fink, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Once on the methane moon, they were finally shown exactly what the job was.
—Manuel Muñoz, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for finally
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David Mark, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
Then the hurricane continued on a more northward path around the islands and finally began weakening after powerful 145 mph winds tapered off.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
All models finally get 120Hz ProMotion displays and a minor camera bump, with 48MP sensors and better low-light performance.
—Charlie Fink, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Once on the methane moon, they were finally shown exactly what the job was.
—Manuel Muñoz, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for finally
Cite this Entry
“Finally.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/finally. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.
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