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Definition of penultimate

penultimate

/pɪˈnʌl.tɪ.mət/
pen · ul · ti · mate
Adverb:penultimately
•
Plural:penultimates
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penultimate Lexical Profile

penultimate Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Last but one in a series of things; second to last.

Example

"The mystery was finally solved in the penultimate chapter of the novel."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• noun

1

The second to last syllable in a word, or the second to last item in a series.

Example

"In Spanish, words ending in a vowel usually carry the stress on the penultimate."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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Word Nuance & Usage

"Penultimate" strictly means second to last, not "the very best" or "ultimate"; using it as an intensifier for "ultimate" is a common error.

• Rhymes for penultimate

• Nearby Words

pentathlon
pentecostal
penthouse
penultimate
peon
peony
people

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the late 17th century from Late Latin paenultimus, a compound of paene ("almost") and ultimus ("last").

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Penultimate. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/penultimate
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