English Profile

last · adjective

/læst/Full view

last week/year/Monday, etc.

A1 the week/year/Monday, etc. before the present one

Dictionary examples:

I went to Boston last month.

Where were you last Thursday?

Learner example:

I am very sorry y[o]u had an accident last week. (Skills for Life (Entry 2); A2; Panjabi)

last night

A1 the evening or night that has just passed

Dictionary examples:

I didn't sleep well last night.

Did you go out last night?

Learner example:

I think I left my coat in your house last night. (Key English Test; A2; Arabic)

last (MOST RECENT)

A2 always before noun the most recent

Dictionary examples:

What was the last movie you saw?

It rained for the last three days.

Learner example:

Thank you for your last letter. (Key English Test; A2; Spanish)

last (ONE BEFORE PRESENT)

A2 always before noun The last book, house, job, etc. is the one before the present one.

Dictionary examples:

My last house was half this size.

I liked his last book but I don't think this latest one is as interesting.

Learner example:

I like it because my last watch was broken. (Key English Test; A2; Turkish)

last (FINAL)

A2 happening or coming at the end

Dictionary examples:

It's the last room on the left.

That was the last program of the series.

I was the last one to arrive.

"How did she do in her race?" "She was last."

Learner example:

The last day we were in [a] city [in] Lithuania named Panevezys. (Skills for Life (Entry 2); A2; Lithuanian)

last (REMAINING)

B1 always before noun only remaining

Dictionary example:

Who wants the last piece of cake?

Learner example:

The cam[e]ras watch everybody in the house 24 hours [a day]. Every Friday, the public decide[s] who [should leave]. The last person wins this show. (Skills for Life (Entry 3); B1; Polish)

the last person/thing, etc.

B2 the least expected or wanted person or thing

Dictionary examples:

Three extra people to feed - that's the last thing I need!

The last thing I wanted was to make you unhappy.

Matthew is the last person I'd expect to be interested in dance.

He's the last person I'd trust with my keys.

Learner example:

I thought it would be the last thing I wanted, but it wasn't. I've really enjoyed this opportunity. (First Certificate in English; B2; Korean)

a last resort

C2 something that you do because everything else has failed

Dictionary example:

As a last resort, we could ask your mother to help.

Learner example:

As a last resort and a solution for those that don't admire books, I would recommend b[u]ying a comic [in] which you see more pictures than words. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Greek)

last · adverb

/læst/

last (MOST RECENT)

B1 used to talk about the most recent time you did something

Dictionary examples:

When did you last see her?

I think it was July when I last spoke to him.

Learner example:

Write back soon and let me know what you [have been] up to since I heard from you last. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Italian)

last (AFTER ALL OTHERS)

B2 after everything or everyone else

Dictionary examples:

I wasn't expecting to win the race but I didn't think I'd come last!

We've still got to check the figures but we'll do that last.

Learner example:

When I reached the other end of the pool, my heart suddenly stopped and I just couldn't move my legs to continue swimming. So, I arrived last. (First Certificate in English; B2; Greek)

last but not least

B2 something that you say to introduce the last person or thing on a list

Dictionary example:

This is Jeremy, this is Cath and, last but not least, this is Eva.

Learner example:

And, last but not least, some complaints were made [about] the entertainment the café provides. (First Certificate in English; B2; Hungarian)

last · noun

/læst/

at (long) last

B1 finally

Dictionary example:

At last, I've found a pair of jeans that actually fit.

Learner example:

Well, at long last I've decided to put pen to paper and I'm going to answer your question. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Catalan)

the last

B2 a person or thing that does something after all the others

Dictionary example:

We were the last to get there.

Learner example:

After a short time, the last of Mrs. O'Connell's guests arrived. (First Certificate in English; B2; German)

the last of sth

C2 the only part of something that remains

Dictionary example:

We've just finished the last of the apples.

Learner example:

They felt the joy their predecessors must have felt after years of struggle, after risking their lives, after accepting in resignation to be the last of a lineage that had lasted for centuries. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Spanish)

the day/week/year, etc. before last

B2 the day, week, year, etc. before the one that has just finished

Dictionary example:

I only had my hair cut the week before last.

Learner example:

The night before last night there was a sto[r]m, every thing was a mess! (First Certificate in English; B2; Chinese)

the last sb heard

C2 the last time someone heard anything about someone or something

Dictionary example:

The last I heard, they will arrive Tuesday night.

Learner example:

That was the last I heard of her for a long time. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; German)

last · verb I

/læst/

last (CONTINUE)

B1 to continue to happen, exist, or be useful

Dictionary examples:

How long will the meeting last?

We don't get much sun - enjoy it while it lasts!

Most sessions last about an hour.

The batteries only last about five hours.

Learner example:

The trip was very tiring because it lasted five hours. (First Certificate in English; B2; French)

last (BE ENOUGH)

C1 to be enough for a period of time

Dictionary examples:

I've only got $30 to last me till the end of the month.

We've got enough vegetables to last another week.

Learner example:

The most important meal of the day used to contain a lot of energy, enough to last all day. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Spanish)