lastly

Meanings

1. 1adverbnot comparable

   Used to introduce the final point, item or step after others in a series.

   Grammar: Sentence adverb, usually at the start of a clause and followed by a comma.

   Patterns

   • Lastly, ...
   • and lastly ...

   Lastly, I would like to thank everyone who helped.

   First mix the flour, then add the eggs, and lastly stir in the milk.

   Lastly, remember to save your work before you log out.

2. 2adverbnot comparable

   After everything else; at the end of a sequence.

   Grammar: Appears in lists as the final item: mentioned lastly.

   Patterns

   • mentioned lastly

   The guest list was read, with the host named lastly.

   He was introduced lastly because he was the main speaker.

   The awards were announced lastly, after the dinner.

Common combinations

and lastly

First, wash your hands; second, dry them; and lastly, put on gloves.

lastly, but not least

Lastly, but not least, I thank my family.

lastly, I would like to

Lastly, I would like to welcome our guests.

firstly, secondly, lastly

The essay is organized as firstly, secondly and lastly.

Synonyms and how they differ

finally

Finally is more common and can also mean after a long wait, while lastly mostly signals the end of a list.

in conclusion

In conclusion introduces the summary of a whole speech or text, rather than one last item.

to end with

To end with is more casual and often introduces a last example.

last of all

Last of all is a longer, conversational version of lastly.

Opposites

Word family

last adjective

coming at the end

last adverb

after all others

latest adjective

most recent

lasting adjective

continuing for a long time

Commonly confused: lastly or at last? lastly or latterly?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “lastly”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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