penultimate

[pi-nuhl-tuh-mit] /pɪˈnʌl tə mɪt/
adjective
1.
next to the last:
the penultimate scene of the play.
2.
of or pertaining to a penult.
noun
3.
a penult.
Origin
1670-80; see penult, ultimate
Can be confused
penultimate, last, ultimate.
Spanish Words for penultimate

penúltimo

Hear It
adjective
1.
penúltimo
More Spanish Definitions
Examples from the web for penultimate
  • The crash happened on the third turn of the half-mile dirt track, on the penultimate lap of the race.
  • Was that a 'going forward' in the penultimate paragraph?
  • The penultimate chapter presents the example of Mary as a paragon of simplicity.
  • It should be accented on the penultimate, but the patrons immediately moved the accent one place forward.
  • The penultimate wave in the fatal series landed at the ankles of observers on the rocks.
  • The penultimate section is just flabbergasting, though.
  • Why he has faked his death is explained in the story's penultimate surprise.
  • Italians tend to accent the penultimate syllable and then buy a vowel.
  • With regard to the penultimate paragraph, its based on a false distinction.
  • The play, Moliere's penultimate work, is a sharply satiric commentary on literary pretension and wounded vanities.
British Dictionary definitions for penultimate

penultimate

/pɪˈnʌltɪmɪt/
adjective
1.
next to the last
noun
2.
anything that is next to the last, esp a penult
Word Origin
C17: from Latin paene almost + ultimate, on the model of Latin paenultimus
Word Origin and History for penultimate
adj.

1670s, from penultima (n.) on model of proximate.