French word

finalement

Pronunciation

IPA/finaləmɑ̃/

Meaning

  • adverbin the end

Example

Il n'a finalement rien dit.

In the end, he said nothing.

Illustration for finalement (in the end)

More examples

Ils ont hésité longtemps, puis il a finalement dit oui.

They hesitated for a long time, then he eventually said yes.

Core concept

A sequence of changes or thoughts narrowing toward the outcome reached at the end.

Common phrases

  • dire finalement oui

    finally say yes

  • être finalement arrivé

    eventually arrive

Similar words

au final: Presents the ultimate result or conclusion in an informal, conversational way.
en fin de compte: Shows what is finally decided or achieved after considering several factors.
en définitive: Expresses a final conclusion or judgment in a somewhat formal way.

Definition in French

Marque l'aboutissement d'une évolution ou d'un raisonnement et indique le résultat final, proche de «au final».

Word origin

French finalement derives from final with -ment; final continues Latin finalis, a form related to finis, meaning 'end' or 'boundary'.

Usage tips

  • In 'Il n'a finalement rien dit', finalement presents the result reached after events and does not necessarily imply a long wait or a triumphant 'at last'.

Other meanings

  • finallyadverb

Opposites

  • initialementinitiallyadverb

Related words

  • finalefinalnoun
  • finaliserfinalizeverb

Word lists with this word