end
noun (countable)
UK/ɛnd/US/ɛnd/
Death or the cessation of life.
Example Sentences
The end of his life was peaceful, surrounded by loved ones.
They mourned the end of their beloved grandmother.
The documentary explores different beliefs about the end of life.
He accepted the end with grace and dignity.
The end of the war brought both relief and sorrow to the survivors.
She wrote a heartfelt letter about the end of their friendship.
The novel delves into the protagonist's contemplation of his own end.
They discussed the concept of the end during their philosophy class.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
verb (transitive)
UK/ɛnd/US/ɛnd/
To die.
Example Sentences
He ended peacefully in his sleep after a long battle with illness.
Many lives were ended during the natural disaster.
She ended her life due to overwhelming stress and depression.
The ancient civilization ended abruptly, leaving behind mysterious ruins.
His heroic actions ended his life, but saved many others.
They ended their days in a small village by the sea.
The war ended with the signing of a peace treaty.
She ended her journey by returning to her hometown.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
adjective
UK/ɛnd/US/ɛnd/
Final; coming at the last part of something.
Example Sentences
The end stage of the project involves final testing and quality assurance.
They focused on the end results to measure the project's success.
The end product was well-received by consumers for its quality and design.
She presented the end summary of the research findings.
The end phase of the construction will include landscaping and finishing touches.
He reviewed the end notes to understand the references used in the study.
The end portion of the movie reveals the hidden plot twist.
They discussed the end goals during the strategy meeting to align their efforts.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
How to Use
The final part or conclusion where something ceases or is completed.“End” is used to signify the final point, boundary, or outcome of something—a process, story, event, or even an era. In everyday language, you might say, “At the end of the movie, the hero returns home,” or “We’ll discuss this more at the end of the meeting.” It can also highlight the result of a situation: “Their argument ended in laughter” indicates the situation concluded on a lighthearted note. In written instructions, “end” might appear as: “Add the final touches at the end of the recipe,” emphasizing where a process stops. Grammatically, “end” can function as both noun and verb—“We’ll end the session at noon,” for instance, uses it as a verb. This word applies broadly, from everyday tasks (“Let’s end this task before dinner”) to larger, metaphorical contexts (“She felt it was the end of an era”). By pairing “end” with adjectives—like “happy end” or “tragic end”—you can emphasize the nature of a conclusion. Remember to set the appropriate tone and context to highlight whether “end” is abrupt, natural, or planned, guiding others to understand precisely how and why something stops or finishes.
Alternatives
If you need alternatives for “end,” consider words like “conclusion,” “finish,” “close,” or “termination.” “Conclusion” suggests a formal wrap-up, often used in essays or official events. “Finish” focuses on the completion of a process, such as finishing a marathon or finishing a book. “Close” captures a sense of drawing something to a stop or returning it to a resting state—like closing a conversation or closing a deal. “Termination” emphasizes a more decisive or final action, often employed in technical, contractual, or legal contexts. Depending on your goal, each term provides a different nuance: “conclusion” highlights formality, “finish” feels more casual, “close” can be gentle yet firm, and “termination” conveys an abrupt or official ending. By selecting the best term for your purpose—be it a friendly chat, a written report, or a legal notice—you ensure clarity, precision, and the right emotional tone in describing that final phase or action.
Writing
When writing with “end,” clarify both the context and significance of whatever is concluding. For instance, in a novel, you may use “end” to build anticipation: “As the final chapter approached, it was clear this would not be a tidy end.” By foreshadowing or elaborating on the circumstances, you help readers sense the gravity or emotional impact of the ending. In informative pieces, such as news articles or research papers, you might employ “end” to mark a significant milestone: “These findings could signal the end of a long-standing debate.” Including data, dates, or outcomes after “end” provides readers with a clear sense of what’s being finished and why it matters. Likewise, if you’re proposing ideas or projects, specifying how or when a process should conclude—“By the end of Q4, we aim to finalize the new policy”—helps establish measurable goals. Vary your phrasing where appropriate, interchanging synonyms like “conclusion” or “final phase,” to keep the text from feeling repetitive. Ultimately, focusing on the who, what, when, and why of an “end” ensures your writing paints a complete picture of closure, letting readers fully appreciate the significance of a project or narrative’s final moments.
Casual Conversation
In casual conversation, “end” comes up whenever you talk about a wrap-up or stopping point. You might say, “Let’s call it a day and end here,” or “I’m at the end of my patience with this puzzle!” People commonly use it to discuss time—“I’ll pay you back by the end of the month”—or to describe finishing tasks: “I’m almost at the end of my chores!” It appears in countless everyday expressions: “happy ending” (often about stories or movies), “dead end” (about roads or fruitless pursuits), and “end up” (for where someone finally lands—“I ended up staying home tonight”). Since “end” is so straightforward, it’s widely understood in quick chats, text messages, or social media posts. Friends might also say, “Don’t worry, everything will be okay in the end,” offering reassurance that issues will resolve eventually. Whether you’re referencing the conclusion of a short conversation, a TV binge session, or a frustrating errand, “end” helps highlight that moment where things wrap up. It’s a short, simple word that neatly labels closure or completion in everyday life, resonating across both lighthearted and more serious contexts without complication.
Etymology
The word “end” has deep roots in the Old English “ende,” which denoted a boundary or limit. It shares ancestry with similar Germanic words that captured the notion of a final point or place—think of Old Frisian “enda” or Old Saxon “endi.” Early uses revolved around describing physical borders, such as the edge of a field or the terminus of a journey. Over time, the term’s meaning stretched beyond tangible boundaries to include the stopping points of periods, processes, and even emotional states. Literature from the Middle Ages onward often used “end” with moral or philosophical weight, referencing the afterlife, destiny, or the “end of days.” The word evolved with English’s shifting linguistic landscape, gradually encompassing both the literal close of a physical path and metaphorical conclusions—like the outcome of an event or the final moments of a personal chapter. Today, “end” remains one of the most fundamental expressions of conclusion, reliably summing up ideas of boundaries, finishes, and completions across countless contexts. Its enduring simplicity reflects humans’ timeless need to mark closure or define the point at which something—be it a journey, a relationship, or an era—ceases to continue.