1. finally; after everything else has been considered or done
最終；最後
After many failed attempts, they ultimately succeeded.
經過多次失敗的嘗試後，他們最終成功了。
All the evidence ultimately points to the same conclusion.
所有證據最終都指向同一個結論。
Ultimately Meaning（定義、用法、例句與發音）
ultimately
adverb
快速理解
What does "Ultimately" mean?What are 2-3 core uses of "Ultimately"?
表示最終結果、根本原因或最核心的層面。
- 1
最終結果
EN: Finally, after a series of events or a long process.
翻譯: 經過一系列事件或漫長過程後，最終。
- 2
根本原因
EN: At the most basic level; the fundamental reason.
翻譯: 在最基本的層面上；根本原因。
- 3
最終決定
EN: Used to introduce the final and most important fact or decision.
翻譯: 用於引導出最終且最重要的事實或決定。
小提醒：「ultimately」強調的是最終的結果或最根本的原因，而非過程中的步驟。它常與「in the end」或「basically」的語意相關，但更正式且更具總結性。
發音（How to Pronounce "Ultimately" in English）
How to pronounce "Ultimately" in English?"Ultimately" US vs UK pronunciation
點擊下方的 US / UK 按鈕可播放發音。
Real-life Examples of "Ultimately" from YouTube Videos
Desining from Day One: Artists as Founders: Multiverse (S20) - YC Gaming Tech Talks 2020
Y Combinator
“and we're building a marketplace because d, d and like tabletop rpgs are ultimately about telling your own story and so, and we want anyone to be able to make content on multiverse, but we're also the first creators on it.”
(1 out of 76)
Definitions（定義）
What are the definitions of "Ultimately"?How does "Ultimately" change by context?
2. at the most basic level; fundamentally
根本上；基本上
Ultimately, the decision rests with the board of directors.
根本上，這個決定取決於董事會。
All political power ultimately comes from the people.
所有的政治權力根本上都來自人民。
3. as the final result of a process or series of events
作為最終結果
His reckless spending ultimately led to bankruptcy.
他魯莽的消費最終導致了破產。
The small disagreement ultimately ruined their friendship.
小小的分歧最終毀掉了他們的友誼。
Grammar & Patterns（句型）
What are common sentence patterns for "Ultimately"?How to make natural sentences with "Ultimately"?
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| ultimately + verb | 最終（會）… | The truth will ultimately come out. (真相最終會大白。) |
| ultimately + adjective | 最終是…的 | The decision was ultimately political. (這個決定最終是政治性的。) |
| be + ultimately + responsible for + noun | 對…負最終責任 | The CEO is ultimately responsible for the company's performance. (執行長對公司的表現負最終責任。) |
| lead to + noun + ultimately | 最終導致… | Poor planning led to failure ultimately. (糟糕的規劃最終導致了失敗。) |
| in the end, ... ultimately ... | 到頭來，…最終… | In the end, we ultimately had to accept the result. (到頭來，我們最終不得不接受這個結果。) |
用法說明
How is "Ultimately" different from similar structures?What usage mistakes are common with "Ultimately"?
ultimately doing vs ultimately to do
- ultimately doing 通常用於描述一個最終的、既成事實的結果或狀態，強調的是「最終成為…」或「最終在做…」的狀態。
- ultimately to do 則常用於表達一個最終的目標、目的或決定，強調的是「最終為了…」或「最終決定要…」的意圖。
- 在許多情況下，兩者可以互換，但細微差別在於 doing 更偏向結果，而 to do 更偏向目的。 EN: After years of debate, the committee ended up ultimately approving the plan. 翻譯: 經過多年辯論，委員會最終通過了這項計畫。
EN:The goal of these negotiations is ultimately to establish a lasting peace.
翻譯:這些談判的目標，最終是為了建立持久的和平。
總結建議
在表達最終結果時，兩者皆可，但若強調最終目的或意圖，使用「ultimately to do」會更為精確。
易混淆對比
What is the difference between "Ultimately" and similar words?How to choose "Ultimately" vs alternatives?
ultimately vs finally
「ultimately」強調最終的結果、根本原因或最核心的結論；「finally」則強調經過長時間等待或一系列事件後的最終順序或時刻。
ultimately vs eventually
「ultimately」強調最終的、決定性的結果或根本要點；「eventually」則強調經過一段時間或過程後，某事終將發生。
ultimately vs in the end
「ultimately」更正式，常用於論述根本原因或最終結論；「in the end」較口語，多用於敘述經過一系列事件後的最終情況。
口語用法
How is "Ultimately" used in spoken English?What is the spoken vs formal difference for "Ultimately"?
引述
在對話中，用來總結或引述一個經過思考或討論後得出的最終結論。 EN: So, after all that, you're saying we should ultimately just trust him? 翻譯: 所以，說了這麼多，你的意思是我們最終還是應該相信他？
EN:Ultimately, what I'm getting at is that we need more data.
翻譯:歸根結底，我想說的是我們需要更多數據。
語氣強調
用於強調某事的根本原因、最終目標或不可避免的結果，帶有「說到底」、「終究」的語氣。 EN: It's a nice feature, but ultimately, it's not essential for the launch. 翻譯: 這個功能不錯，但說到底，它對產品上市並非必不可少。
EN:We can try different methods, but we'll ultimately have to make a decision by Friday.
翻譯:我們可以嘗試不同方法，但終究得在星期五前做出決定。
停頓填充
在組織思緒或尋找合適詞語時，作為一個短暫的停頓填充詞，通常位於句首，後面稍有停頓。 EN: Ultimately... I think we should go with the original plan. 翻譯: 最終呢… 我認為我們應該按照原計劃進行。
EN:How do I feel about it? Ultimately, I'm just relieved it's over.
翻譯:我感覺如何？說到底，我只是鬆了一口氣，事情總算結束了。
正式寫作注意：在正式學術或商業寫作中，應避免將 "ultimately" 用作單純的停頓填充詞。其使用應緊密關聯於推論過程中的最終步驟、根本原因或不可避免的結論，以保持論述的嚴謹性。
常見短語
What common collocations use "Ultimately"?What fixed phrases with "Ultimately" should I remember?
ultimately lead to
ultimately lead to [noun/noun phrase]
最終導致
ultimately depend on
ultimately depend on [noun/noun phrase]
最終取決於
ultimately responsible
be ultimately responsible for [noun/noun phrase]
負最終責任
ultimately aim to
ultimately aim to [verb]
最終目標是
ultimately about
be ultimately about [noun/gerund]
歸根結底是關於
ultimately decide
ultimately decide to [verb] / ultimately decide [clause]
最終決定
ultimately irrelevant
be ultimately irrelevant
最終無關緊要
常見錯誤
What are common mistakes with "Ultimately"?Which "Ultimately" sentences look correct but are wrong?
×He ultimately decided to go.
✓He decided to go ultimately.
「ultimately」通常放在主要動詞之前或句末，但放在句末時語氣較弱。在正式寫作中，置於主要動詞前（或助動詞與主要動詞之間）更為常見，以強調最終結果。
×After many attempts, she ultimately succeeded.
✓After many attempts, she eventually succeeded.
「ultimately」強調最終的結果、結論或根本原因，帶有「歸根結底」的意味；「eventually」則單純指經過一段時間後「終於」發生。此處強調經過多次嘗試後「終於」成功，用「eventually」更自然。
×Firstly, we discussed the budget. Secondly, the timeline. Ultimately, we assigned tasks.
✓Firstly, we discussed the budget. Secondly, the timeline. Finally, we assigned tasks.
在列舉事項時，最後一項應使用「finally」或「lastly」。「ultimately」不用於簡單的序列結尾，而是用於帶出最終的結論、結果或最重要的觀點。
×The story has a happy ending ultimately.
✓The story ultimately has a happy ending.
「ending」已包含「最終」的概念，與「ultimately」並用可能顯得冗餘。通常將「ultimately」置於動詞前，用來強調整個過程導向該結局，而非直接修飾「ending」。
×I will call you ultimately.
✓I will call you eventually / in the end.
「ultimately」不用來指近期或具體時間點上「馬上就會發生」的動作。它用於更宏觀、更根本的結果或結論。指個人近期計畫中的「最後」一步，應使用「eventually」或「in the end」。
詞形變化
What are the word forms of "Ultimately"?What are tense/participle forms of "Ultimately"?