finality
The state or quality of being finished, settled, or irreversible, leaving no room for further doubt or change. It often describes the character of an action or statement that suggests a definitive conclusion has been reached.
Examples
3 of 5He slammed the front door with a sense of finality that told her he wasn't coming back.
He slammed the front door with a sense of finality that told her he wasn't coming back.
The supreme court's ruling brings a necessary finality to this long-standing legal dispute.
The supreme court's ruling brings a necessary finality to this long-standing legal dispute.
The way she said 'no' had a real finality to it, so I didn't bother asking again.
The way she said 'no' had a real finality to it, so I didn't bother asking again.
Antonyms
Word Family
Memory Tip
Focus on the 'FIN' (meaning end) and the suffix '-ITY' (denoting a state). Once you cross the FINish line, you have reached the state of finality.
Quick Quiz
The judge's gavel struck the wood with a sharp sound, adding a sense of ___ to the ruling.
Correct!
The correct answer is: finality
Examples
He slammed the front door with a sense of finality that told her he wasn't coming back.
everydayHe slammed the front door with a sense of finality that told her he wasn't coming back.
The supreme court's ruling brings a necessary finality to this long-standing legal dispute.
formalThe supreme court's ruling brings a necessary finality to this long-standing legal dispute.
The way she said 'no' had a real finality to it, so I didn't bother asking again.
informalThe way she said 'no' had a real finality to it, so I didn't bother asking again.
Scholars argue that the finality of death is a central theme in existentialist literature.
academicScholars argue that the finality of death is a central theme in existentialist literature.
The acquisition agreement provided the finality required for the board to move forward with the merger.
businessThe acquisition agreement provided the finality required for the board to move forward with the merger.
Antonyms
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
with an air of finality
with an air of finality
the finality of the situation
the finality of the situation
reach a point of finality
reach a point of finality
Often Confused With
Finalization is the active process of making something final, whereas finality is the abstract state or quality of being final.
A finale is the last part of a performance or event; finality is the characteristic of being conclusive.
Usage Notes
Finality is frequently used in the construction 'a sense of finality' or 'an air of finality' to describe how a person speaks or acts. It is more abstract and formal than 'the end'.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes use the non-existent word 'finalness' or confuse 'finality' with 'finally' (the adverb).
Memory Tip
Focus on the 'FIN' (meaning end) and the suffix '-ITY' (denoting a state). Once you cross the FINish line, you have reached the state of finality.
Word Origin
Derived from the Late Latin 'finalitas', originating from the Latin 'finalis', which relates to an end or boundary.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In Western law, the principle of finality is crucial because it ensures that once a legal case is decided and appeals are exhausted, the matter cannot be reopened indefinitely.
Quick Quiz
The judge's gavel struck the wood with a sharp sound, adding a sense of ___ to the ruling.
Correct!
The correct answer is: finality
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