End

/end/

nounBeginnerVery CommonLiterature

Definitions

3 meanings
1

The conclusion or final part of something; a termination or finish.

/end/

nounneutralBeginner
Literature

The final part or point in time or space.

The movie had a surprising end.

💡 Simply: The end is like the last page of a book, the last song of a concert, or the place where a road stops. It means the finish!

👶 For kids: The end is when something stops, like when your playtime is over.

More Examples

2

We are approaching the end of the road.

3

He waited until the end of the sale to buy the item.

4

The end of the week is always exciting.

How It's Used

General

"The end of the movie was sad."

Sports

"The game is at the end of the fourth quarter."

2

To bring or come to a conclusion or termination.

/end/

verbneutralBeginner
Arts

To reach a termination or conclusion.

The concert ended with a beautiful song.

💡 Simply: To end means to stop something, like when you end a phone call or when the music ends.

👶 For kids: To end is when something is over, like when you end your game.

More Examples

2

The argument ended in a stalemate.

3

Let's end this meeting now.

4

The movie ended abruptly.

How It's Used

General

"The meeting ended after two hours."

Literature

"The story ended happily."

Tip:Picture a race where you're running to the finish line - to end is to cross that line, to bring an event to a stop.
3

A specific purpose or goal; an aim or objective.

/end/

nounneutralmedium
General

A purpose or goal.

His end was to win the competition.

💡 Simply: The end is what you want to happen, like your dream or your goal. What are you trying to make happen?

👶 For kids: The end is what you want to happen when you try to do something.

More Examples

2

The end justifies the sacrifices.

3

The end result was a success.

4

We have to keep the end in sight.

How It's Used

Politics

"The end justifies the means."

Philosophy

"The ultimate end is happiness."

Tip:Think of it as the bullseye you're aiming for. What do you want to achieve? What is your end goal?

Idioms & expressions

to make ends meet

To manage to live within one's financial resources.

"It's difficult to make ends meet with such low wages."

to the bitter end

Until the very end, no matter how difficult or unpleasant.

"He fought to the bitter end."

no end of

A great deal of; a large quantity.

"There's no end of trouble in this situation."

From Old English *ende*, from Proto-Germanic *andiz* ('the end, the limit'). Cognate with Dutch *einde*, German *Ende*, and Old Norse *endi*.

Used since Old English, reflecting a fundamental concept of finality and boundaries in language and thought.

Memory tip

Think of it as the destination on a journey, where you arrive or when an action is complete.

enand

Usage

60%Spoken
40%Written