Definition

1. Adjective:
   • In or of the month immediately preceding the current one: Used in formal or commercial contexts, often abbreviated as "ult.", to refer to a date in the previous month.

Usage

• The word "ultimo" is used almost exclusively in written English, particularly in formal correspondence, legal documents, or financial contexts. It follows the day of the month to specify that the date belongs to the month before the current one. It is considered somewhat archaic but is still understood in specific professional fields.

Examples

• Adjective:
  • We acknowledge receipt of your invoice dated the 12th ultimo. (We acknowledge receipt of your invoice dated the 12th of last month.)
  • The payment was made on the 30th ult. (The payment was made on the 30th of the previous month.)

Advanced Usage

• "inst." and "prox.": In the same formal dating system, "instant" (inst.) refers to the current month, and "proximo" (prox.) refers to the next month.
  • Your order of the 5th inst. has been shipped. (Your order of the 5th of this month has been shipped.)
  • The meeting is scheduled for the 15th prox. (The meeting is scheduled for the 15th of next month.)

Variants and Related Words

• Ult. (abbreviation): The standard abbreviation for "ultimo".
  • Please refer to our letter of the 20th ult.

Synonyms

• Last month: The common, modern equivalent phrase.
• Of the last month: A more formal paraphrase.

Antonyms

• Instant (inst.): Of the current month.
• Proximo (prox.): Of the next month.

Adjective

1. in or of the month preceding the present one
   • your letter received on the 29th ult