ultimate

The ultimate is the consummate or best example of something.

(noun)

An example of the ultimate is something that is the pinnacle of success.

The definition of ultimate is something that is the best of its kind.

(adjective)

An example of something that would be described as ultimate is the end goal you set at the start of college of eventually going to business school.
An example of someone who would be described as the ultimate example of a great athlete is someone who has won an Olympic gold medal.

See ultimate in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

beyond which it is impossible to go; farthest; most remote or distant
by which a process or series comes to an end; final; conclusive
beyond which further analysis, division, etc. cannot be made; elemental; fundamental; primary
greatest or highest possible; maximum; utmost

Origin: LL ultimatus, pp. of ultimare, to come to an end < L ultimus: see ultima

noun

something ultimate; final point or result, fundamental principle, etc.

Related Forms:

See ultimate in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective

Being last in a series, process, or progression: “As the ultimate arbiter of the Constitution, the Supreme Court occupies a central place in our scheme of government” (Richard A. Epstein).
Fundamental; elemental: an ultimate truth.
a. Of the greatest possible size or significance; maximum: Has the ultimate diamond been found?
b. Representing or exhibiting the greatest possible development or sophistication: the ultimate bicycle.
c. Utmost; extreme: the ultimate insult.
Being most distant or remote; farthest. See Synonyms at last¹.
Eventual: hoped for ultimate victory.

noun

The basic or fundamental fact, element, or principle.
The final point; the conclusion.
The greatest extreme; the maximum: actions that represented the ultimate in political expediency.

Origin:

Origin: Latin ultimātus

Origin: , past participle of ultimāre, to come to an end

Origin: , from ultimus, last

Origin: , superlative of *ulter, on the other side; see al-¹ in Indo-European roots

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