Finally

Part of speech: adverb

Pronunciation: /ˈfaɪ.nl̩.i/

Definitions

1. Ultimately reaching a conclusion after a prolonged duration
2. Marking the end of a series of events or actions in time
3. Signifying the conclusion that occurs after all steps have been completed

Etymology: "Finally" is about as plain as English adverbs get: it is the adjective "final" with the adverbial ending "-ly" added to it. "Final" itself came into English from Old French "final," which traces back to the Latin "finalis," meaning "pertaining to the end," from "finis," "end" or "boundary." So the word's core idea of an endpoint has been part of it from the start. The adverb emerged in Middle English, where forms such as "fynaly" and "fynaliche" show spellings still settling. Over time the sense shifted from "in the end, ultimately" toward the sense of a sequence concluding after earlier steps, which is the meaning of the word today.

Synonyms: eventually, ultimately, at last

Antonyms: initially, first