last but not least
important even though mentioned last
What it means
"Last but not least" is an English idiom used to introduce the final item or person in a list while stressing that they're no less important than the others. Common in speeches, toasts, and presentations — a polite way to ensure the last mention doesn't seem ranked lowest.
Words like “last but not least” are exactly the kind of vocabulary our English vocabulary size test measures — find out how many English words you know.
Examples
- And last but not least, I want to thank my family for their support.
- We have three judges tonight, and last but not least is Dr. Lee.
- Pack your passport, tickets, and last but not least, your phone charger.
- Last but not least, remember to back up all your files.
Where it comes from
The phrase is recorded from the 16th century and appears in works including Shakespeare's King Lear, formalising the idea that final order does not mean lesser worth.
Related idioms
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