Meaning & use
antepenultimate
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Meanings
adjectivebefore a noun
Coming immediately before the next-to-last item in a series; third from the end.
Grammar: Used before a noun: the antepenultimate chapter. It is not usually used after a verb.
Patterns
- the antepenultimate + noun
In the word 'photography,' the antepenultimate syllable is stressed.
The antepenultimate chapter of the book reveals the killer's identity.
She finished in the antepenultimate position, just ahead of the last two runners.
nounsingularrare
The item that is third from the last in a series.
Grammar: Usually used with 'the': the antepenultimate of the list. Rare as a noun.
Patterns
- the antepenultimate of something
The antepenultimate of the ten commandments is 'You shall not steal.'
His name was the antepenultimate on the long list of candidates.
Common combinations
- the antepenultimate syllable
- In 'banana,' the stress falls on the antepenultimate syllable.
- the antepenultimate chapter
- The antepenultimate chapter sets up the final conflict.
- the antepenultimate item
- Please check the antepenultimate item on the agenda.
- the antepenultimate verse
- The antepenultimate verse of the poem is the most moving.
Synonyms and how they differ
- third from last
- This is the everyday equivalent; 'antepenultimate' is more formal and precise.
- third to last
- Same meaning, but less technical and more common in speech.
Word family
- penultimate adjective
- Next to last; the one immediately before the final item.
- ultimate adjective
- Last in a series; final.
- antepenult noun
- A less common noun meaning the antepenultimate item, especially a syllable.
Commonly confused: antepenultimate or penultimate?
antepenultimate vs penultimate
Penultimate means second from last, not third. Antepenultimate is one step earlier.
Practice
In the word 'dictionary,' which syllable is the antepenultimate?
Choose one answer.
The word 'dictionary' has four syllables: dic-tion-ar-y. The antepenultimate is the one before the penultimate (second from last). The penultimate is '-ar-', so the antepenultimate is '-tion-', the second syllable. 'Dic-' is the first syllable, not the third from last.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “antepenultimate”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.