ultimate term

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ultimate term" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the final or most significant term in a discussion, definition, or series of terms. Example: "In the context of this debate, the ultimate term we must consider is 'justice' as it encapsulates the core of our arguments."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

And with a fixed-rate mortgage, prepayment of principal does not reduce the monthly payment at all but, instead, reduces the ultimate term of the loan.

The New York Times

That came as a relief this week after the barrage of uncontrolled enthusiasm from the people paid to report on the events at other Olympic venues, for whom "Stonking!" seemed to represent the ultimate term of approbation.

The Guardian - Sport

"This is supremely O.K.!" McCall says, solemnly offering his ultimate term of approval, as he rappels back to earth after our last climb, bouncing off the wall in astronaut skips.

The New York Times - Travel

Members of this academic faction use the word "humanist" as their ultimate term of abuse, and it's not clear what they're doing in a nice book like this - full of good feeling, a book that is a pleasure to read as it makes its case for the novel's plausible claim to be the most powerful tool we have for the recording and examination of consciousness.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

He knows the haggling, and the ultimate terms, will be hard, especially over agriculture.

The Economist

Reciprocal altruism, or reciprocity, is by definition not actually altruistic in ultimate terms as the initial cost to the actor is later rewarded.

Animal Behaviour

Thus, while reciprocity may explain the evolution of agonistic support in ravens in ultimate terms, at the proximate level, emotional mediation may explain how ravens choose when to intervene in a conflict, and whom to support.

Animal Behaviour

It is found that, in the short-term, the ultimate condition of FRP-confined concrete is not significantly affected by the age of concrete.

Construction and Building Materials

Ms. Swan of Manpower cautions that although employee referrals are a valuable tool, "you have to watch the ultimate long-term result in terms of diversity and skills".

The New York Times

They seem to have souls — that ultimate retrogressive term!

The New Yorker

And as such, with the considerable influence hip-hop and rap continues to exert on our society, it's become the ultimate throwaway term which is somehow deemed to be endearing, not derogatory.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ultimate term" when you want to emphasize that a particular term is the most important, final, or definitive one in a discussion or definition. Make sure the context clearly establishes why that term is considered "ultimate".

Common error

Avoid using "ultimate term" loosely. Ensure the term genuinely represents the final or most significant concept, rather than merely being a strong or important one. The term's 'ultimacy' must be clear.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ultimate term" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or an object of a preposition. It identifies a specific concept as being the final or most significant one in a given context. Ludwig AI confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "ultimate term" is a grammatically sound and valid expression used to denote the final or most significant concept within a specific context. Ludwig AI confirms this. While relatively rare in occurrence, the phrase is primarily found in News & Media and Science. It emphasizes the importance or conclusiveness of a particular term. When using "ultimate term", ensure that the context clearly justifies why the term is considered "ultimate" rather than simply important. Consider alternatives like "definitive term" or "final term" to better fit the intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

definitive term

Replaces "ultimate" with "definitive", emphasizing conclusiveness.

final term

Substitutes "ultimate" with "final", focusing on the end or last in a sequence.

last term

Similar to "final term", but with a slight emphasis on temporal sequence.

conclusive term

Emphasizes the quality of being decisive and resolving any uncertainty.

supreme term

Replaces "ultimate" with "supreme", highlighting the highest degree or rank.

defining term

Focuses on the term that sets the boundaries or characteristics of something.

essential term

Emphasizes the necessity or indispensability of the term.

key term

Highlights the importance of the term as a central or crucial element.

primary term

Focuses on the term being of first importance or rank.

paramount term

Similar to "supreme term", but with a nuance of superiority or dominance.

FAQs

How can I use "ultimate term" in a sentence?

You can use "ultimate term" to refer to the most important or final term in a discussion or definition. For example: "In the context of ethics, the "golden rule" is often considered the "ultimate term" for moral conduct".

What are some alternatives to "ultimate term"?

Alternatives include "definitive term", "final term", or "key term", depending on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "ultimate term" versus "key term"?

"Ultimate term" implies a sense of finality or supremacy, suggesting that the term is the most important or conclusive. "Key term", on the other hand, simply indicates that the term is important or essential, but not necessarily the most important. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize finality or simply importance.

Can "ultimate term" be used in both formal and informal contexts?

While "ultimate term" is generally suitable for formal contexts, it can also be used in informal settings if the situation calls for a precise or emphatic description of a term's importance. However, in very casual conversations, simpler alternatives might be more appropriate.