1
: after a prolonged time : at the end of period of time
Two hours later, the train finally arrived.
He finally got around to calling.
I'm so happy to finally meet you!
It finally dawned on me what she'd meant.
2
a
: as the last act or occurrence in a series : in the end : eventually
After many attempts, they finally gave up.
"My career meandered all over the place and I finally settled on comedic acting. …"—
Cassandra Peterson
Cassandra Peterson"He listened to the whole thing, very attentive, and finally he turned to the doctor and he said, 'I have a question.'"—Russell Newman
Russell Newman
b
: by way of conclusion : as the last point
"… Finally, I'd like to thank the fans for their great support …"—Joe Girardi
Joe Girardi
c
: in the end : ultimately
What finally matters is whether you're likely to drink enough of the organisms to make you sick.—Peter Jaret
Peter Jaret3
old-fashioned
: in a final manner : in a way that does not allow change
I have reason for asking this question which you have answered so finally.—Willa Cather
Willa CatherShe said it so finally … that Mr. Pumblechook … could not protest.—Charles Dickens
Charles Dickens… the power to decide finally and conclusively upon all motions made in the course of legislative proceedings …—John G. Carlisle
John G. CarlisleSynonyms
Examples of finally in a Sentence
we're making steady progress and may finally finish this project
Recent Examples on the Web
That opportunity finally came in Minnesota, when Alexander-Walker sprung onto the scene in the form of an elite perimeter defender during the 2023 postseason after Jaden McDaniels went down with a broken hand.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 16 Nov. 2024
Staff Pick: Menu prices are finally leveling off Multiple restaurant surveys said so, and this week, the consumer-price index confirmed it: Dining out is getting cheaper.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024
Lastly, some of this knowledge was learned the hard way: By messing up in the field a few times and finally learning from those mistakes.
—Joe Arterburn, Outdoor Life, 14 Nov. 2024
That mystery appears finally solved thanks to researchers in Purdue University’s Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences (EAPS).
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 14 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for finally 
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Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 16 Nov. 2024
Staff Pick: Menu prices are finally leveling off Multiple restaurant surveys said so, and this week, the consumer-price index confirmed it: Dining out is getting cheaper.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024
Lastly, some of this knowledge was learned the hard way: By messing up in the field a few times and finally learning from those mistakes.
—Joe Arterburn, Outdoor Life, 14 Nov. 2024
That mystery appears finally solved thanks to researchers in Purdue University’s Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences (EAPS).
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 14 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for finally
Dictionary Entries Near finally
Cite this Entry
“Finally.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/finally. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
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