noun
plural ends
[singular] a point that marks the limit of something :the point at which something no longer continues to happen or exist
the last part of a story, movie, song, etc.
[count] the part at the edge or limit of an area
the first or last part or section of something that is long
either limit of a scale or range
[count] :the stopping of a condition, activity, or course of action
When something is at an end it is finished or completed.
If you bring something to an end or bring an end to something, you stop, finish, or complete it.
If you put an end to something, you cause it to stop or prevent it from continuing.
Something comes to an end when it stops or finishes.
If there is no end in sight, the point at which something will be finished is not known.
[count] :the point at which someone is no longer living :death
[count] :a goal or purpose
If something is an end in itself, it is something that you do because you want to and not because it will help you achieve or accomplish something else.
If the end justifies the means, a desired result is so good or important that any method, even a morally bad one, may be used to achieve it.
[count] American football :a player whose position is at the end of the line of scrimmage - see also end run, split ends, tight end
[count] :a specific part of a project, activity, etc.
usually used with keep up or hold up
[count] :any one of the places connected by a telephone call
ends [plural] :parts of something that are left after the main part has been used
a light at the end of the tunnel
at the end of the day
informal :when all things are considered :in the end
at (your) wits'/wit's end
burn the candle at both ends
come to a bad end
to end up in a bad situation because of your actions
to die in an unpleasant way
end to end
with ends touching each other
go off the deep end
in the end
finally or after a long time
when all things are considered
make ends meet
to pay for the things that you need to live when you have little money
make your hair stand on end
never/not hear the end of it
not the end of the world
informal
If something is not the end of the world, it is not as terrible or unpleasant as it seems to be.
on end
without interruption
in an upright position :not lying flat
on/at the receiving end
the end of the line
or the end of the road
informal :the point or time when someone or something stops or cannot continue :the end
the end of time
forever, always - used figuratively after to, till, or until
the end of your rope
or chiefly Brit the end of your tether
informal :a state in which you are not able to deal with a problem, difficult situation, etc., any longer
the ends of the earth
places in the world that are very far away from cities, large groups of people, etc. :the most remote places in the world - used figuratively
the short end of the stick
the wrong end of the stick
(to) no end
a lot :a great deal
to that/this end
formal :as a way of dealing with or doing something
to/till/until the bitter end
verb
ends; ended; ending
[no obj] :to stop or finish :to no longer continue to happen or exist
[+ obj] :to stop or finish (something) :to cause (something) to no longer continue to happen or exist
[+ obj] :to be the final part of (something)
end in
[phrasal verb]
end in (something) :to have (something) at the end
end up
[phrasal verb]
end up or end up (something) or end up (doing something) :to reach or come to a place, condition, or situation that was not planned or expected
end with
[phrasal verb]
end with (something) :to have (something) at the end
end (something) with (something) :to cause (something) to have (something) at the end
end your life
or end it all
to kill yourself :to commit suicide
adjective
always used before a noun
final
US