ultimate

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'ultimate' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the word 'ultimate' to describe something that is the best or the most extreme of its kind. For example, "He is the ultimate football player."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Unlike the most reliable form of protection, a condom, it is the woman, not the man, who makes the ultimate choice about whether to use the gel.

The Economist

About The Scott Trust Ltd The ultimate owner of the Guardian is The Scott Trust, which was originally created as a trust in 1936 to safeguard the title's journalistic freedom.

The Guardian

The ultimate owner of the Guardian is The Scott Trust, which was originally created as a trust in 1936 to safeguard the title's journalistic freedom.

The Guardian

But he returned again and again to the posed naked figure, male and female – the ultimate test and validation, so the critic Robert Hughes has stated, of any artist's merit and painterly ability.

The Guardian - Arts

"Spitting is universally recognised as perhaps the ultimate degradation and it's bound to result in rather aggressive retaliation," mused the consultant psychologist Dr Aric Sigman years later, in some nostalgia-based clip show or other.

The Guardian - Sport

I suspect most on the left, if asked for "ultimate evils", would opt for, say, genocide, war or murder.

The Guardian - Opinion

Starving, disabled children are the ultimate symbol of a cuts agenda that has no limits or conscience.

The Guardian

Allin aimed to be the ultimate rock'n'roll degenerate, but as an icon of filth, Barlow has surpassed him.

The Guardian - Opinion

Here is what we learned: Salo is the ultimate Ukrainian food.

The Guardian

So Schwarzkogler's reputation as the ultimate performance artist is somewhat exaggerated.

The Guardian - Arts

The use of barley as the ultimate foundation stone of measurement appears to be another universal element (alongside the forearm, the foot and the breadth of a finger), so that, for instance, you will find it underwriting the system of measurements used by the Vikings.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ultimate", ensure the context clearly indicates whether you mean 'final' in a series or 'best/most extreme' in quality. This prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "ultimate" too frequently, especially in informal contexts, as it can sound exaggerated or cliché. Opt for more nuanced adjectives that accurately reflect the degree you want to convey.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "ultimate" primarily functions as an attributive adjective, modifying nouns to indicate the highest degree or finality. Ludwig examples show it defining concepts like "the ultimate goal" or "the ultimate test".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective "ultimate" is a versatile term used to describe something that is the best, most extreme, or final. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in News & Media contexts. While it's a powerful word, avoid overusing it to maintain impact. Consider alternatives like "supreme" or "definitive" for nuanced meanings. Remember to use "ultimate" when you genuinely want to convey the highest degree or finality, adding weight and significance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

final

Denotes the last in a series, similar to "ultimate" when referring to the concluding element.

highest

Indicates the greatest level or degree, paralleling "ultimate" in expressing the maximum extent.

supreme

Indicates the highest level of authority or quality, akin to "ultimate" in expressing the greatest degree.

paramount

Highlights the highest importance or priority, close to "ultimate" in signifying the most crucial aspect.

conclusive

Denotes a final and irrefutable result, resembling "ultimate" when signifying the definitive outcome.

definitive

Implies a conclusive or final resolution, similar to "ultimate" in denoting the end or last stage.

quintessential

Represents the perfect example of something, mirroring "ultimate" in embodying the ideal form.

culminating

Signifies the point of reaching the highest development, corresponding to "ultimate" as the peak or end.

basic

Implies the fundamental or essential nature of something, like "ultimate" when referring to the foundational aspect.

eventual

Implies something that will happen at some time, corresponding to "ultimate" as the last consequence.

FAQs

How can I use "ultimate" in a sentence?

You can use "ultimate" to describe something that is the best or most extreme of its kind. For example, "This is the ultimate driving machine" or "Achieving world peace is the ultimate goal".

What can I say instead of "ultimate"?

You can use alternatives like "definitive", "supreme", or "paramount" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "ultimate" to describe a subjective opinion?

While "ultimate" often implies an objective standard, it can be used to express a strong personal preference. For example, "This is the ultimate pizza", meaning it's your favorite.

What's the difference between "ultimate" and "final"?

"Ultimate" implies a sense of being the best or most extreme, whereas "final" simply means the last in a series. The "final" decision may not necessarily be the "ultimate" solution.