Cool MateAt last vs Ultimately
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
At last
Top 2,000 (common)
Ultimately
Top 2,000 (common)B2adverb
| At last | Ultimately | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ət lɑːst//🇺🇸 //ət læst// | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈʌltɪmətli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈʌltɪmətli/"]/ |
| Meaning | Finally after a long time waiting. | In the end; finally. |
| Example | I finished my project, and at last, I can relax. | A poor diet will **ultimately lead to** illness. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | - | B2 |
| Part of speech | adverb | |
| Collocations | at last, a resolution, at last, the moment, at last, the truth | ultimately responsible, ultimately decide, ultimately lead to |
| Antonyms | - | initially, first, at the beginning |
| Common mistakes | Confusing with 'at least'; they have different meanings., Using in very formal writing where simpler alternatives may fit better. | 'Ultimately' is often misused when the context is not about finality., Learners may confuse 'ultimately' with 'eventually' but they are not exactly the same., Overusing 'ultimately' in casual speech can sound pretentious. |
| Usage notes | Use 'at last' to express relief or joy when something finally happens. It's neutral and works in both spoken and written contexts. | Use 'ultimately' to emphasize the final outcome of a situation. It is not suitable for casual or informal conversations. |
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Frequently asked questions: At last vs Ultimately
What's the difference between At last and Ultimately?
At last: Finally after a long time waiting. Ultimately: In the end; finally.
Can you show an example of each?
At last: I finished my project, and at last, I can relax. Ultimately: A poor diet will **ultimately lead to** illness.
Can I use At last and Ultimately interchangeably?
Not always. At last and Ultimately are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.