Have you ever used the phrase “last but not least” too many times in writing or speaking? Many English learners and professionals do this because the phrase is common and easy to remember.
However, using the same expression again and again can make your communication sound repetitive.
Learning other ways to say “last but not least” helps you sound more natural, fluent, and confident. It also helps you match the right tone for different situations. Some alternatives sound formal and professional, while others feel casual and friendly.
In this guide, you will learn 30+ synonyms for “last but not least”, along with meanings, examples, tone explanations, and best usage tips.
Whether you are writing emails, giving presentations, speaking in meetings, or improving your English skills, these alternatives will help you communicate more effectively.
What Does “Last but Not Least” Mean?
The phrase “last but not least” means that the final person, item, or point is still very important.
People use it when mentioning the last thing in a list while showing that it deserves equal attention or value.
Grammar Explanation
“Last but not least” is an idiomatic expression. It usually appears before the final item in a sentence or speech.
Example:
- “We would like to thank our teachers, parents, and last but not least, our students.”
The phrase connects ideas smoothly and adds emphasis to the final point.
When to Use “Last but Not Least”
You can use this phrase in many situations.
Formal Situations
- Business presentations
- Academic writing
- Professional speeches
- Workplace meetings
Informal Situations
- Friendly conversations
- Casual speeches
- Social media captions
- Group discussions
Written Communication
- Emails
- Reports
- Blog posts
- Articles
Spoken Communication
- Public speaking
- Interviews
- Introductions
- Thank-you speeches
Is It Professional or Polite to Say “Last but Not Least”?
Yes. “Last but not least” is both polite and professional. It is widely accepted in business and academic settings.
The phrase shows respect because it reminds listeners that the final item is still important.
However, using it too often can sound repetitive or old-fashioned. In professional writing, many people prefer shorter and more modern alternatives.
For example:
- “Finally”
- “Equally important”
- “Importantly”
- “To conclude”
These alternatives may sound cleaner in formal business communication.
Pros and Cons of Using “Last but Not Least”
Pros
- Easy to understand
- Polite and respectful
- Works in formal and informal settings
- Adds emphasis to the final point
- Common in spoken English
Cons
- Can sound repetitive
- Slightly old-fashioned in modern business writing
- May feel too long in short sentences
- Less natural if overused
- Not always suitable for very casual speech
30+ Other Ways to Say “Last but Not Least”
1. Finally
Meaning: Used to introduce the last point.
Explanation: One of the most common alternatives. It works in almost every context.
Example Sentence:
“Finally, I want to thank everyone for attending.”
Best Use: Formal, Business, Casual
Worst Use: Emotional speeches needing strong emphasis
Tone: Neutral
2. Lastly
Meaning: Used for the final item in a list.
Explanation: Slightly more formal than “finally.”
Example Sentence:
“Lastly, please remember to submit your reports.”
Best Use: Professional writing
Worst Use: Casual storytelling
Tone: Formal
3. Most Importantly
Meaning: Highlights something very important.
Explanation: Adds strong emphasis to the final point.
Example Sentence:
“Most importantly, we must support our customers.”
Best Use: Business presentations
Worst Use: Simple casual chats
Tone: Emphatic
4. Equally Important
Meaning: Shows the final point has equal value.
Explanation: A professional alternative.
Example Sentence:
“Equally important, communication builds trust.”
Best Use: Workplace communication
Worst Use: Informal jokes
Tone: Formal
5. Not to Forget
Meaning: Reminds listeners about something important.
Explanation: Friendly and conversational.
Example Sentence:
“Not to forget, Sarah helped organize the event.”
Best Use: Informal speaking
Worst Use: Academic writing
Tone: Friendly
6. In Closing
Meaning: Used at the end of a speech or discussion.
Explanation: Strong formal ending phrase.
Example Sentence:
“In closing, thank you for your hard work.”
Best Use: Presentations and speeches
Worst Use: Casual conversation
Tone: Formal
7. To Conclude
Meaning: Signals the end of an explanation.
Explanation: Common in essays and speeches.
Example Sentence:
“To conclude, teamwork leads to success.”
Best Use: Academic writing
Worst Use: Friendly texting
Tone: Formal
8. Importantly
Meaning: Introduces a key point.
Explanation: Short and modern.
Example Sentence:
“Importantly, all employees must follow safety rules.”
Best Use: Professional writing
Worst Use: Emotional speeches
Tone: Neutral
9. Above All
Meaning: More important than everything else.
Explanation: Adds strong emphasis.
Example Sentence:
“Above all, be honest with your clients.”
Best Use: Advice and motivational speech
Worst Use: Technical reports
Tone: Emphatic
10. At Last
Meaning: Refers to the final point.
Explanation: Sometimes shows relief.
Example Sentence:
“At last, we reached our final goal.”
Best Use: Storytelling
Worst Use: Business reports
Tone: Friendly
11. In the End
Meaning: Refers to the final result or point.
Explanation: Often used in spoken English.
Example Sentence:
“In the end, teamwork made the project successful.”
Best Use: Casual and spoken English
Worst Use: Formal reports
Tone: Neutral
12. As a Final Point
Meaning: Introduces the last idea.
Explanation: Very clear and professional.
Example Sentence:
“As a final point, customer service matters greatly.”
Best Use: Meetings and presentations
Worst Use: Casual chats
Tone: Formal
13. One Final Thing
Meaning: Adds one more important point.
Explanation: Conversational and natural.
Example Sentence:
“One final thing, please lock the door.”
Best Use: Informal speaking
Worst Use: Academic essays
Tone: Friendly
14. Let’s Not Forget
Meaning: Reminds people about something important.
Explanation: Warm and conversational.
Example Sentence:
“Let’s not forget our volunteers.”
Best Use: Group discussions
Worst Use: Formal legal writing
Tone: Friendly
15. Before We Finish
Meaning: Introduces a final thought.
Explanation: Common in spoken communication.
Example Sentence:
“Before we finish, I’d like to thank our team.”
Best Use: Meetings and speeches
Worst Use: Research papers
Tone: Neutral
16. In Summary
Meaning: Gives a closing overview.
Explanation: Useful in presentations and essays.
Example Sentence:
“In summary, practice improves communication.”
Best Use: Academic and business writing
Worst Use: Casual storytelling
Tone: Formal
17. To Finish
Meaning: Signals the ending.
Explanation: Simple and direct.
Example Sentence:
“To finish, let’s review the main points.”
Best Use: Classroom speaking
Worst Use: Formal corporate reports
Tone: Neutral
18. Finishing Up
Meaning: Casual ending phrase.
Explanation: Friendly and relaxed.
Example Sentence:
“Finishing up, thanks for joining us today.”
Best Use: Informal presentations
Worst Use: Legal documents
Tone: Friendly
19. Wrapping Up
Meaning: Ending a discussion.
Explanation: Very common in modern business English.
Example Sentence:
“Wrapping up, we achieved all our goals.”
Best Use: Meetings and podcasts
Worst Use: Academic essays
Tone: Casual
20. As We End
Meaning: Introduces the final statement.
Explanation: Soft and polite.
Example Sentence:
“As we end, remember to stay positive.”
Best Use: Speeches
Worst Use: Text messaging
Tone: Neutral
21. Final Thoughts
Meaning: Last opinions or comments.
Explanation: Popular in blogs and videos.
Example Sentence:
“Here are my final thoughts on the project.”
Best Use: Content creation
Worst Use: Formal reports
Tone: Friendly
22. To Sum Up
Meaning: Gives a short conclusion.
Explanation: Common in spoken and written English.
Example Sentence:
“To sum up, communication is the key to success.”
Best Use: Presentations
Worst Use: Casual jokes
Tone: Neutral
23. Last of All
Meaning: Introduces the final item.
Explanation: Similar to “lastly.”
Example Sentence:
“Last of all, we thank our supporters.”
Best Use: Speeches
Worst Use: Casual texting
Tone: Formal
24. At the End
Meaning: Refers to the closing stage.
Explanation: Simple and flexible.
Example Sentence:
“At the end, everyone shared ideas.”
Best Use: Everyday English
Worst Use: Formal writing needing precision
Tone: Neutral
25. Chiefly
Meaning: Most importantly.
Explanation: More advanced vocabulary choice.
Example Sentence:
“Chiefly, we care about customer satisfaction.”
Best Use: Professional writing
Worst Use: Beginner English conversations
Tone: Formal
26. Primarily
Meaning: Mainly or most importantly.
Explanation: Strong professional tone.
Example Sentence:
“Primarily, this policy protects employees.”
Best Use: Corporate communication
Worst Use: Casual speaking
Tone: Formal
27. On a Final Note
Meaning: Adds a final important thought.
Explanation: Warm and polished.
Example Sentence:
“On a final note, thank you for your support.”
Best Use: Speeches and emails
Worst Use: Technical manuals
Tone: Professional
28. In Conclusion
Meaning: Marks the ending clearly.
Explanation: Common in essays and presentations.
Example Sentence:
“In conclusion, hard work creates results.”
Best Use: Academic writing
Worst Use: Casual conversation
Tone: Formal
29. To End With
Meaning: Introduces the last point.
Explanation: Natural in spoken English.
Example Sentence:
“To end with, let’s celebrate our success.”
Best Use: Casual presentations
Worst Use: Legal writing
Tone: Neutral
30. The Final Point Is
Meaning: Introduces the last important idea.
Explanation: Direct and clear.
Example Sentence:
“The final point is customer satisfaction.”
Best Use: Business meetings
Worst Use: Friendly storytelling
Tone: Formal
31. One Last Point
Meaning: Adds one more important detail.
Explanation: Very common in speech.
Example Sentence:
“One last point: please arrive early tomorrow.”
Best Use: Meetings and conversations
Worst Use: Academic essays
Tone: Friendly
32. And Finally
Meaning: Connects smoothly to the last item.
Explanation: Natural and widely used.
Example Sentence:
“And finally, we welcome our new members.”
Best Use: Speeches and presentations
Worst Use: Highly formal legal writing
Tone: Neutral
Comparison Table: Best Alternatives to “Last but Not Least”
| Phrase | Tone | Best Context | Formality |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finally | Neutral | Everyday communication | Medium |
| Lastly | Formal | Business writing | High |
| Most Importantly | Emphatic | Presentations | High |
| Wrapping Up | Casual | Meetings and podcasts | Low |
| In Conclusion | Formal | Essays and speeches | High |
| One Final Thing | Friendly | Conversations | Low |
| On a Final Note | Professional | Emails and speeches | Medium |
FAQs
1. Is “last but not least” formal or informal?
It can be both. It works in business, academic, and casual settings.
2. What is the best professional alternative to “last but not least”?
“Lastly,” “in conclusion,” and “most importantly” are strong professional choices.
3. Can I use “last but not least” in emails?
Yes. It is polite and commonly used in professional emails.
4. Is “last but not least” old-fashioned?
Some people feel it sounds traditional, but it is still widely understood and accepted.
5. What is the most casual alternative?
“One final thing” and “wrapping up” sound very casual and friendly.
Conclusion
Learning other ways to say “last but not least” can make your English sound more natural, fluent, and professional. Different phrases create different tones, so choosing the right one matters.
Some alternatives work best in business writing, while others fit friendly conversations or presentations.
The more vocabulary you learn, the more confident you become in speaking and writing English. Try using a few of these synonyms in emails, meetings, essays, or daily conversations. Small changes in wording can make your communication clearer, stronger, and more engaging.
I’m Justin Harper, an English grammar enthusiast and content writer passionate about helping learners improve vocabulary, writing, and communication skills through simple, accurate, and engaging educational content at EnglishBlasts.
