Penultimate
adjective
It is the second last in a series of things or events.
In a race, he finished in the penultimate position.
Often appears as...
- the penultimate chapter
- the penultimate round
adjective
It is the second last in a series of things or events.
In a race, he finished in the penultimate position.
Often appears as...
- the penultimate chapter
- the penultimate round
Definition 1 of 1
Pro Tip 1/3Sequence Importance
Use 'penultimate' to emphasize the importance of the second to last position, often in a buildup to a climax.
The novel's penultimate scene was the key to understanding the protagonist's decision.
Pro Tip 2/3Not for Pen Names
Avoid 'penultimate' for items without a sequence; it's not correct to use it as a fancier term for 'almost last'.
Incorrect: His penultimate name on the list was John. (There's no specified sequence)
Pro Tip 3/3Misinterpretation Risk
Be aware others might misunderstand 'penultimate' as 'ultimate'; ensure clarity by contextual cues.
She excitedly arrived at the penultimate round, knowing the final was yet to come.
Pro Tip 1/3Sequence Importance
Use 'penultimate' to emphasize the importance of the second to last position, often in a buildup to a climax.
The novel's penultimate scene was the key to understanding the protagonist's decision.
Pro Tip 2/3Not for Pen Names
Avoid 'penultimate' for items without a sequence; it's not correct to use it as a fancier term for 'almost last'.
Incorrect: His penultimate name on the list was John. (There's no specified sequence)
Pro Tip 3/3Misinterpretation Risk
Be aware others might misunderstand 'penultimate' as 'ultimate'; ensure clarity by contextual cues.
She excitedly arrived at the penultimate round, knowing the final was yet to come.
Pro Tip 1/3Sequence Importance
Use 'penultimate' to emphasize the importance of the second to last position, often in a buildup to a climax.
The novel's penultimate scene was the key to understanding the protagonist's decision.
Pro Tip 2/3Not for Pen Names
Avoid 'penultimate' for items without a sequence; it's not correct to use it as a fancier term for 'almost last'.
Incorrect: His penultimate name on the list was John. (There's no specified sequence)
Pro Tip 3/3Misinterpretation Risk
Be aware others might misunderstand 'penultimate' as 'ultimate'; ensure clarity by contextual cues.
She excitedly arrived at the penultimate round, knowing the final was yet to come.
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Video examples
How to speak so that...
Excuses. We've all met this guy. Maybe we've all been this guy. Some people have a blamethrower. They just pass it on to everybody else and don't take responsibility for their actions, and again, hard to listen to somebody who is being like that. Penultimate, the sixth of the seven,
Video examples
How to speak so that...
Excuses. We've all met this guy. Maybe we've all been this guy. Some people have a blamethrower. They just pass it on to everybody else and don't take responsibility for their actions, and again, hard to listen to somebody who is being like that. Penultimate, the sixth of the seven,
Example 1 of 1
Quote examples
Neil Cross
British Novelist
I wrote 'Mr. In-Between' very quickly when I was about 23. I wrote the penultimate chapter, then realised I'd done something which was written to the best of my abilities. I panicked. I hesitated to finish the final chapter and went into withdrawal for three years. I decided to pick it up again after I went drinking with author Tim Binding.
Quote examples
Nicholas Galitzine
English Actor
I'm really into Noel Gallagher's lad culture vibe. I used to wear Fred Perry polo shirts a lot. In fact, I went to an Oasis concert, which I believe was the band's penultimate gig before they disbanded, and I would say about 80 per cent of the audience were wearing the same polo.
Quote examples
Lionel Shriver
American Journalist
In the big picture, few of our careers live up to the dreams we nursed when we were young. In fact, one underside of success is that it's nearly always penultimate, and so every accomplishment merely raises the bar.
Quote examples
Philip Treacy
Irish Designer
Hats are the epitome of Englishness, and a royal wedding is the penultimate moment for a hat designer. I'm Irish, but I am a royalist and I believe in fantasy.
Quote examples
Neil Cross
British Novelist
I wrote 'Mr. In-Between' very quickly when I was about 23. I wrote the penultimate chapter, then realised I'd done something which was written to the best of my abilities. I panicked. I hesitated to finish the final chapter and went into withdrawal for three years. I decided to pick it up again after I went drinking with author Tim Binding.
Quote examples
Nicholas Galitzine
English Actor
I'm really into Noel Gallagher's lad culture vibe. I used to wear Fred Perry polo shirts a lot. In fact, I went to an Oasis concert, which I believe was the band's penultimate gig before they disbanded, and I would say about 80 per cent of the audience were wearing the same polo.
Quote examples
Lionel Shriver
American Journalist
In the big picture, few of our careers live up to the dreams we nursed when we were young. In fact, one underside of success is that it's nearly always penultimate, and so every accomplishment merely raises the bar.
Quote examples
Philip Treacy
Irish Designer
Hats are the epitome of Englishness, and a royal wedding is the penultimate moment for a hat designer. I'm Irish, but I am a royalist and I believe in fantasy.
Example 1 of 4
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