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
Well, that finally seems to be reaching its end.
—Jordan Blum, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2025
The former couple finally sold their home one month after the property faced foreclosure and was about to be put up for public auction.
—Natalia Senanayake, PEOPLE, 23 Oct. 2025
The designer, who was considered one of London Fashion Week’s emerging talent highlights pre-pandemic, has finally released a new collection, his first since 2020.
—Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2025
Spinal Tap are finally tapping out.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for finally
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Jordan Blum, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2025
The former couple finally sold their home one month after the property faced foreclosure and was about to be put up for public auction.
—Natalia Senanayake, PEOPLE, 23 Oct. 2025
The designer, who was considered one of London Fashion Week’s emerging talent highlights pre-pandemic, has finally released a new collection, his first since 2020.
—Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2025
Spinal Tap are finally tapping out.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Oct. 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 29 Oct. 2025.
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