Final vs. Terminal: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
"Final" typically refers to the last part or end of something, whereas "Terminal" can mean either pertaining to the end or a point of connection in travel or communications.
Key Differences
"Final" is often used to describe the last stage or element in a sequence, like the final exam in a course. "Terminal," on the other hand, can refer to something relating to the end or conclusion, such as a terminal illness, but also describes a hub in transportation, like an airport terminal.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 12, 2023
In the context of events or processes, "final" implies the conclusion of something, such as the final chapter of a book. "Terminal," in a similar vein, can denote the end point of a disease or condition, but unlike "final," it often carries a connotation of inevitability or irreversibility.
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Dec 12, 2023
When talking about competitions or stages, "final" denotes the last round, as in a tournament's final match. "Terminal," however, diverges in meaning, referring to the last phase of a condition or a central point for transport or communication systems.
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Dec 12, 2023
In academics, "final" is used to describe the last examination of a course, emphasizing its concluding nature. "Terminal," in contrast, can describe the last stage of a disease, but also extends to describe a facility for transport like a bus terminal.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 12, 2023
In a broader sense, "final" is often associated with the culmination of a series of events, like a final decision. "Terminal," while it can also signify an end, is distinctively used to describe a physical space for transportation or a point in a system where connections are made.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 12, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Meaning in Context
Last part or stage in a sequence.
End point or connection hub.
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Dec 12, 2023
Usage in Education
Refers to final exams or assessments.
Not typically used in an educational context.
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Dec 12, 2023
Medical Usage
Not commonly used in medical context.
Often used to describe end-stage conditions.
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Dec 12, 2023
Transportation
Not directly related to transportation.
Refers to hubs like airport or bus terminals.
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Dec 12, 2023
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Final and Terminal Definitions
Final
Relating to an end or conclusion.
The final chapter of the book was the most exciting.
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Dec 05, 2023
Terminal
Pertaining to the end or extremity.
The terminal phase of the illness was difficult.
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Dec 05, 2023
Terminal
Denoting a device for making electrical connections.
The electrician fixed the terminal in the circuit board.
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Dec 05, 2023
Final
Pertaining to the last test in an academic term.
I am studying for my final exam in calculus.
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Terminal
Of, at, relating to, or forming a limit, boundary, extremity, or end
The terminal moraine of a glacier.
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Terminal
(Botany) Growing or appearing at the end of a stem, branch, stalk, or similar part.
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Final
Of or constituting the end result of a succession or process; ultimate
An act with both an immediate and a final purpose.
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Terminal
Of, at, relating to, or being the end of a section or series; final.
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Final
A final examination; a test or examination given at the end of a term or class; the test that concludes a class.
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Dec 05, 2023
Terminal
A building in an airport where passengers transfer from ground transportation to the facilities that allow them to board airplanes.
Terminal 1 is for domestic flights, whereas Terminal 2 is for international flights.
A shuttle service runs free of charge between the three terminals.
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Dec 05, 2023
Final
(Oxbridge slang) A final examination taken at the end of the final year of an undergraduate course, which contributes towards a student's degree classification.
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Terminal
A harbour facility where ferries embark and disembark passengers and load and unload vehicles.
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Final
(sports) The last round, game or match in a contest, after which the winner is determined.
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Terminal
A rail station where service begins and ends; the end of the line. For example: Grand Central Terminal in New York City.
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Dec 05, 2023
Final
(phonology) The final part of a syllable, the combination of medial and rime in phonetics and phonology.
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Dec 05, 2023
Terminal
A rate charged on all freight, regardless of distance, and supposed to cover the expenses of station service, as distinct from mileage rate, generally proportionate to the distance and intended to cover movement expenses.
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Final
(music) The tonic or keynote of a Gregorian mode, and hence the final note of any conventional melody played in that mode.
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Terminal
A town lying at the end of a railroad, in which the terminal is located; more properly called a terminus.
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Terminal
A storage tank for bulk liquids (such as oil or chemicals) prior to further distribution.
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Dec 05, 2023
Final
Conclusive; decisive.
A final judgment;
The battle of Waterloo brought the contest to a final issue
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Terminal
(electronics) the end of a line where signals are either transmitted or received, or a point along the length of a line where the signals are made available to apparatus.
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Final
Respecting an end or object to be gained; respecting the purpose or ultimate end in view.
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Terminal
(telecommunications) The apparatus to send and/or receive signals on a line, such as a telephone or network device.
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Terminal
(computing) A device for entering data into a computer or a communications system and/or displaying data received, especially a device equipped with a keyboard and some sort of textual display.
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Final
Pertaining to the end or conclusion; last; terminating; ultimate; as, the final day of a school term.
Yet despair not of his final pardon.
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Final
Conclusive; decisive; as, a final judgment; the battle of Waterloo brought the contest to a final issue.
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Final
Respecting an end or object to be gained; respecting the purpose or ultimate end in view.
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Terminal
(biology) The end ramification (of an axon, etc.) or one of the extremities of a polypeptide.
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Final
The final match between the winners of all previous matches in an elimination tournament
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Final
Occurring at or forming an end or termination;
His concluding words came as a surprise
The final chapter
The last days of the dinosaurs
Terminal leave
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Dec 05, 2023
Terminal
Occurring at the end of a word, sentence, or period of time, and serves to terminate it
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Final
Conclusive in a process or progression;
The final answer
A last resort
The net result
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Final
Not to be altered or undone;
The judge's decision is final
The arbiter will have the last say
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Terminal
To store bulk liquids (such as oil or chemicals) in storage tanks prior to further distribution.
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Final
Last in a series or process.
The final episode of the show airs tonight.
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Terminal
Of or pertaining to the end or extremity; forming the extremity; as, a terminal edge.
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Final
Ultimate, not to be changed.
She made her final decision about the job offer.
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Terminal
Growing at the end of a branch or stem; terminating; as, a terminal bud, flower, or spike.
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Terminal
Pertaining to a railroad terminal; connected with the receipt or delivery of freight; as, terminal charges.
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Terminal
Either of the ends of the conducting circuit of an electrical apparatus, as an inductorium, dynamo, or electric motor, usually provided with binding screws for the attachment of wires by which a current may be conveyed into or from the machine; a pole.
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Terminal
The end of a line of railroad, with the switches, stations, sheds, and other appliances pertaining thereto.
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Terminal
The station at either end of a bus line line which transports freight or passengers.
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Terminal
A station where passenger buses start or end a trip; - also called bus terminal.
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Dec 05, 2023
Terminal
The structure at an airport where passengers board or debark, and where ticket purchases and baggage pickup is performed; - also called airline terminal.
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Dec 05, 2023
Terminal
An electronic device where data may be entered into a computer, and information received from it, usually consisting of a keyboard and video display unit (monitor); the terminal may be integrated or connected directly to a computer, or connected by a communications circuit with a computer at a remote location; - also called computer terminal.
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Dec 05, 2023
Terminal
Station where transport vehicles load or unload passengers or goods
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Terminal
A contact on an electrical device (such as a battery) at which electric current enters or leaves
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Dec 05, 2023
Terminal
Electronic equipment consisting of a device providing access to a computer; has a keyboard and display
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Terminal
Being or situated at an end;
The endmost pillar
Terminal buds on a branch
A terminal station
The terminal syllable
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Dec 05, 2023
Terminal
Of or relating to or situated at the ends of a delivery route;
Freight pickup is a terminal service
Terminal charges
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Terminal
Relating to or occurring in a term or fixed period of time;
Terminal examinations
Terminal payments
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Dec 05, 2023
Terminal
Occurring at or forming an end or termination;
His concluding words came as a surprise
The final chapter
The last days of the dinosaurs
Terminal leave
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Dec 05, 2023
Terminal
Causing or ending in or approaching death;
A terminal patient
Terminal cancer
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Terminal
A point of connection in transportation or communication.
She waited at the bus terminal for an hour.
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Dec 05, 2023
Terminal
Relating to a life-ending condition.
The diagnosis was terminal cancer.
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Terminal
Located at the end.
The terminal building was at the far end of the airport.
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
Is "final" used in medical terminology?
Not commonly; it's more used in academic or general contexts.
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Dec 12, 2023
Can "final" mean something that can't be changed?
Yes, "final" can imply something definitive or conclusive.
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Dec 12, 2023
Are "terminal" conditions always related to health?
Mostly, but "terminal" can also describe the final stage of a process.
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Dec 12, 2023
Can "terminal" be used in computer science?
Yes, it can refer to an endpoint in a network or a command interface.
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Dec 12, 2023
Can "terminal" refer to a physical location?
Yes, "terminal" often describes a central point in transportation, like an airport terminal.
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Dec 12, 2023
Does "final" apply in legal contexts?
Yes, it can refer to a conclusive judgment or decision.
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Dec 12, 2023
Is a "terminal" always a large facility?
Not necessarily, it can be any point of connection or end point in a system.
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Dec 12, 2023
Can "final" refer to the ultimate goal or outcome?
Yes, it can imply the ultimate result or purpose.
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Dec 12, 2023
Does "final" have a different meaning in sports?
In sports, "final" refers to the last game or match of a tournament.
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Dec 12, 2023
Is "final" always related to time or sequence?
Yes, "final" usually refers to the last part in a sequence or timeline.
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Dec 12, 2023
Does "terminal" always imply death or end of life?
Not always; it can also refer to transport hubs or points in a communication system.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 12, 2023
Is "terminal" used in education?
Rarely, unless referring to a terminal degree, which is the highest degree in a field.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 12, 2023
Is "final" always the end of something?
Generally, yes, it denotes the concluding part.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 12, 2023
Is "final" used in musical terminology?
It's not specific to music but can describe the last part of a musical piece.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 12, 2023
Can "terminal" refer to an electronic component?
Yes, it can describe a point in an electrical circuit for connections.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 12, 2023
Is "final" a term used in project management?
Yes, it can refer to the last phase or deliverable in a project.
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Dec 12, 2023
Can "terminal" be used positively?
It's usually neutral or negative, but context can vary its connotation.
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Dec 12, 2023
Are "terminal" illnesses always incurable?
Typically, but medical advancements can change this definition.
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Dec 12, 2023
Does "terminal" imply a certain seriousness in medical contexts?
Yes, it often indicates a serious, often life-threatening stage of a condition.
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Dec 12, 2023
Can "final" be used in day-to-day conversation?
Absolutely, to denote the last item, event, or moment in a sequence.
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Dec 12, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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