next-to-last
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Immediately preceding the final one in a series or sequence: "next-to-last" describes the item, position, or stage that comes directly before the last one.
- Penultimate: A formal synonym, meaning second from the end.
Usage
- The term is used to specify order, indicating the second item from the end of a series.
- It is commonly applied to chapters, stages, positions, items in a list, or years in an academic program.
Examples
- Adjective:
- She finished in the next-to-last position in the race.
- Please review the next-to-last paragraph on page ten.
- The next-to-last episode of the series was the most exciting.
Advanced Usage
- "next-to-last but one": This is a less common, redundant phrasing sometimes used for emphasis, identical in meaning to "next-to-last."
- He lives in the next-to-last house but one on the street.
- In academic contexts, particularly in the U.S., it can describe the third year of a four-year high school or college program (the junior year).
- He is a next-to-last year student, so he will graduate next spring.
Variants and Related Words
- Penultimate (adj): The direct synonym, often used in more formal or technical writing.
- The penultimate chapter provides the climax.
- Second-to-last (adj): A common alternative with identical meaning.
- Turn at the second-to-last traffic light.
Synonyms
- Penultimate: Second from the end.
- Second-to-last: Immediately before the final one.
- Last but one: A more idiomatic alternative.
Antonyms
- First: The initial item in a series.
- Last: The final item in a series.
Related Phrases
- The one before the last: A descriptive phrase with the same meaning.
- I liked the one before the last song best.
Adjective
- used of the third or next to final year in United States high school or college
- the junior class
- a third-year student
- next to the last
- the author inadvertently reveals the murderer in the penultimate chapter
- the figures in the next-to-last column