Ultimate means the last and greatest of all. The ultimate goal, the ultimate test, the ultimate sacrifice.
It means final rather than merely very good, though advertising has worn that down almost completely. The ultimate aim is the one everything else serves. As a noun, the ultimate in something is the best available: the ultimate in comfort. Ultimately means in the end, and is much the commoner form in serious writing. Note penultimate, meaning last but one, and antepenultimate, meaning last but two.
1adjectiveultimateThe last and greatest of all.
“The ultimate goal of the project is to end hunger in the region.”
synonyms: final, supreme
ultimate is a quality of finality.
Also accepted in games: final