finally
gb/fˈaɪnəli/ us/fˈaɪnəli/
A2
English
~ 800
végre, végül, szerencsére
A2
1
végre
A2
Usage pattern:
finally [verb]
After two hours of waiting, the bus finally arrived.
Két óra várakozás után végre megérkezett a busz.
She finally passed her driving test on the third try.
A harmadik próbálkozásra végre átment a forgalmi vizsgán.
We finally reached the top of the mountain at sunset.
He finally agreed to help us after much persuasion.
Learner examples
The train finally came.
A vonat végre megérkezett.
I finally saw my friend.
Végre találkoztam a barátommal.
She finally got the job.
We finally ate dinner.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'finally' with 'at last' — while similar, 'at last' can sound more emotional or dramatic.
Meaning
After a long time or delay
Collocations
finally arrived
|finally happened
|finally decided
|finally finished
Synonyms
eventually (Very close in meaning; 'eventually' is slightly more neutral and less emotive.)
Antonyms
immediately (Describes something happening without any delay, opposite of after a long wait.)
Themes
daily life
|time
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Used when something happens after you have been waiting for it for a long time.
Used to indicate that something happens after a long wait, delay, or series of difficulties.
B1
2
végül
A2
Usage pattern:
finally [verb/clause]
Finally, add the salt and stir well.
Végül add hozzá a sót, és alaposan keverd össze.
We discussed the budget, the schedule, and finally the marketing plan.
Megbeszéltük a költségvetést, az ütemtervet, végül pedig a marketingtervet.
Finally, I would like to thank everyone for their support.
Learner examples
Finally, mix the sugar into the tea.
Végül keverd bele a cukrot a teába.
We visited London, Paris, and finally Rome.
Ellátogattunk Londonba, Párizsba, végül pedig Rómába.
Finally, open the window.
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse 'finally' in lists where 'lastly' might be more appropriate in formal writing.
Meaning
At the end of something
Collocations
finally conclude
|finally complete
|finally summarize
Synonyms
lastly ('Lastly' is used mainly in formal speech or writing, especially for lists.)
Antonyms
firstly (Marks the beginning of a list or sequence, opposite of 'finally' in this sense.)
Themes
time
|process
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Used to say that something is the last thing in a list or series.
Used to indicate the last step or point in a process, list, or sequence of events.
B1
3
szerencsére
A2
végre
A2
Usage pattern:
finally [verb/clause]
Finally, we can relax after such a busy week.
Végre pihenhetünk egy ilyen zsúfolt hét után.
The storm has finally passed, and the sun is out.
Szerencsére a vihar elvonult, és kisütött a nap.
Finally! I've been waiting all day for this moment.
Learner examples
Finally, I can sleep.
Végre alhatok.
The game is finally over.
Szerencsére vége a játéknak.
Finally, we can eat.
Common mistake:
Some learners use 'finally' in this sense when no feeling of relief is intended, which may sound odd in English.
Meaning
Expressing relief at occurrence
Collocations
finally free
|finally safe
|finally over
Synonyms
thankfully ('Thankfully' focuses more on gratitude than on the passage of time.)
Antonyms
unfortunately (Expresses regret or disappointment rather than relief.)
Themes
emotions
|daily life
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Used to show you are happy or relieved that something has happened.
Used to express satisfaction or relief that something has happened or been done.
Grammar
Dictionary form
finally
IPA
GB/fˈaɪnəli/
US/fˈaɪnəli/
Syllables & stress
fi - nally (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (fi)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: finally
- Plural: finallies
Word family
Expressions
finally free
1/fˈaɪnəli fɹˈi/
fixed phrase
Free after restriction
Used to say someone is free after being kept somewhere or under control for a long time.
Examples
- After months in hospital, she was finally free.
- The hostages are finally free.
finally got around to
1/fˈaɪnəli ɡˈɑt ɚˈaʊnd tə/
fixed phrase
informal
Did after long delay
Used when someone does something they had planned or wanted to do for a long time but kept delaying.
Examples
- I finally got around to cleaning the garage.
- He finally got around to calling his parents.
finally over
1/fˈaɪnəli ˈoʊvɚ/
fixed phrase
Ended after long time
Used to say something has ended after taking a long time or being difficult.
Examples
- The meeting is finally over.
- The war is finally over after many years.