Quick Answer: If you’re searching for other ways to say last but not least, try: finally, as a final point, to conclude, equally important, in closing.
These alternatives improve tone, reduce repetition, and sound more professional.
The phrase “last but not least” is commonly used to introduce the final item in a list while emphasizing that it is equally important.
People often use it in speeches, presentations, emails, meetings, and everyday conversations to signal a conclusion without minimizing value.
Learning alternatives to other ways to say last but not least helps English learners and professionals improve fluency, avoid clichés, and express excitement in English with better tone awareness.
Pull Quote:
“Clear transitions make your English sound confident and intentional.”
Quick Categories
Formal alternatives to “last but not least”
- To conclude
- In conclusion
- Ultimately
- As a final consideration
Pro Tip:
Use formal alternatives in academic writing, reports, and official speeches.
Casual alternatives
- And lastly
- One more thing
- The last thing is
- At the end
Pro Tip:
Casual options are best for spoken English and relaxed settings.
Professional alternatives
- As a final point
- Equally important
- In closing
- To wrap up
Pro Tip:
Professional alternatives keep workplace communication clear and polished.
Informal expressions
- Last up
- Finishing with
- To top it off
- And finally
Pro Tip:
Informal expressions work best in conversations or storytelling.
Pull Quote:
“Replacing clichés instantly upgrades your professional English.”
Common Mistakes Using “Last but Not Least”
- Overusing it in one speech
Example: Last but not least… last but not least… - Using it in formal documents
Example: Last but not least, the data shows… - Using it without a list
Example: Last but not least, I like coffee. - Using it in short business emails
Example: Last but not least, please respond. - Unintended sarcasm
Example: Last but not least, the system failed.
What Does “Last but Not Least” Mean?
Definition:
It means the final item is just as important as the previous ones.
Grammar:
It functions as a transition phrase, usually before the last point.
Example:
Last but not least, I’d like to thank our team.
When to Use “Last but Not Least”
- Presentations
- Speeches
- Informal writing
- Spoken English
Spoken vs Written: Both
Formal vs Informal: Mostly informal
Is It Professional or Polite to Say “Last but Not Least”?
- Polite: ✔️ Yes
- Professional: ❌ No (in most cases)
Business Example:
As a final point, we need to discuss timelines.
Pros and Cons of Using “Last but Not Least”
Pros
- Simple and natural
- Friendly tone
- Common usage
- Easy to understand
Cons
- Too informal for work
- Overused
- Limited emotional range
- Not ideal for formal writing
Pull Quote:
“Professional English values clarity over habit.”
Other Ways to Say “Last but Not Least” (With Examples)
These alternatives will help you sound more fluent, confident, and natural in different situations.
Use them according to tone, context, and audience to express excitement in English or maintain professionalism.
1. Phrase: Finally
- Meaning: Indicates the end of a list
- Explanation: Neutral and widely accepted
- Example Sentence: Finally, let’s review the results.
- Best Use: Presentations
- Worst Use: Emotional writing
- Tone: Neutral, clear
- Context Variability: casual / professional / spoken
2. Phrase: To conclude
- Meaning: Signals closure
- Explanation: Formal ending phrase
- Example Sentence: To conclude, thank you for your time.
- Best Use: Speeches
- Worst Use: Casual chat
- Tone: Formal, polite
- Context Variability: professional / written
3. Phrase: As a final point
- Meaning: Introduces the last idea
- Explanation: Business-appropriate transition
- Example Sentence: As a final point, we need approval.
- Best Use: Meetings
- Worst Use: Stories
- Tone: Professional, calm
- Context Variability: professional
4. Phrase: Equally important
- Meaning: Emphasizes importance
- Explanation: Highlights value of the final item
- Example Sentence: Equally important is customer feedback.
- Best Use: Reports
- Worst Use: Casual talk
- Tone: Formal, balanced
- Context Variability: professional
5. Phrase: In closing
- Meaning: Signals wrap-up
- Explanation: Polite and structured
- Example Sentence: In closing, we appreciate your support.
- Best Use: Emails
- Worst Use: Conversations
- Tone: Polite, formal
- Context Variability: written
6. Phrase: Ultimately
- Meaning: Final outcome or conclusion
- Explanation: Reflective ending phrase
- Example Sentence: Ultimately, success depends on teamwork.
- Best Use: Essays
- Worst Use: Lists
- Tone: Thoughtful
- Context Variability: professional
7. Phrase: And lastly
- Meaning: Marks the final item
- Explanation: Casual transition
- Example Sentence: And lastly, enjoy the event.
- Best Use: Speaking
- Worst Use: Formal writing
- Tone: Casual
- Context Variability: spoken
8. Phrase: One final thing
- Meaning: Last reminder
- Explanation: Friendly emphasis
- Example Sentence: One final thing to remember is timing.
- Best Use: Talks
- Worst Use: Reports
- Tone: Friendly
- Context Variability: spoken
9. Phrase: To wrap up
- Meaning: Signals ending
- Explanation: Semi-formal transition
- Example Sentence: To wrap up, here are the next steps.
- Best Use: Meetings
- Worst Use: Academic writing
- Tone: Neutral
- Context Variability: professional
10. Phrase: Not least of all
- Meaning: Strong emphasis
- Explanation: Highlights importance
- Example Sentence: Not least of all, I thank the team.
- Best Use: Speeches
- Worst Use: Casual chat
- Tone: Formal
- Context Variability: professional
11. Phrase: In summary
- Meaning: Summarizes points
- Explanation: Academic-style conclusion
- Example Sentence: In summary, these are our findings.
- Best Use: Reports
- Worst Use: Conversations
- Tone: Formal
- Context Variability: written
12. Phrase: As we conclude
- Meaning: Signals ending phase
- Explanation: Polite closing phrase
- Example Sentence: As we conclude, thank you for joining us.
- Best Use: Speeches
- Worst Use: Casual talk
- Tone: Polite
- Context Variability: professional
13. Phrase: The final point
- Meaning: Last idea
- Explanation: Direct and clear
- Example Sentence: The final point concerns safety.
- Best Use: Presentations
- Worst Use: Informal chat
- Tone: Neutral
- Context Variability: professional
14. Phrase: Final consideration
- Meaning: Last factor
- Explanation: Analytical ending
- Example Sentence: A final consideration is cost.
- Best Use: Reports
- Worst Use: Stories
- Tone: Formal
- Context Variability: professional
15. Phrase: Closing thought
- Meaning: Ending idea
- Explanation: Reflective tone
- Example Sentence: One closing thought before we finish.
- Best Use: Talks
- Worst Use: Technical writing
- Tone: Thoughtful
- Context Variability: spoken
16. Phrase: At last
- Meaning: End of sequence
- Explanation: Emphasizes completion
- Example Sentence: At last, we reached the goal.
- Best Use: Storytelling
- Worst Use: Reports
- Tone: Expressive
- Context Variability: spoken
17. Phrase: To finish
- Meaning: Ending statement
- Explanation: Simple and direct
- Example Sentence: To finish, let’s review the plan.
- Best Use: Talks
- Worst Use: Formal writing
- Tone: Neutral
- Context Variability: spoken
18. Phrase: The bottom line
- Meaning: Final conclusion
- Explanation: Highlights key takeaway
- Example Sentence: The bottom line is customer satisfaction.
- Best Use: Business
- Worst Use: Academic writing
- Tone: Direct
- Context Variability: professional
19. Phrase: To end with
- Meaning: Closing phrase
- Explanation: Neutral transition
- Example Sentence: To end with, thank you all.
- Best Use: Speeches
- Worst Use: Emails
- Tone: Neutral
- Context Variability: spoken
20. Phrase: In the end
- Meaning: Final result
- Explanation: Reflective tone
- Example Sentence: In the end, effort matters most.
- Best Use: Writing
- Worst Use: Lists
- Tone: Thoughtful
- Context Variability: written
21. Phrase: Wrapping things up
- Meaning: Informal closure
- Explanation: Friendly ending
- Example Sentence: Wrapping things up, here’s the plan.
- Best Use: Meetings
- Worst Use: Formal reports
- Tone: Casual
- Context Variability: spoken
22. Phrase: Final takeaway
- Meaning: Key conclusion
- Explanation: Highlights learning
- Example Sentence: The final takeaway is teamwork.
- Best Use: Training
- Worst Use: Casual chat
- Tone: Professional
- Context Variability: professional
23. Phrase: The concluding point
- Meaning: Last statement
- Explanation: Formal transition
- Example Sentence: The concluding point addresses costs.
- Best Use: Reports
- Worst Use: Conversations
- Tone: Formal
- Context Variability: professional
24. Phrase: As a closing remark
- Meaning: Final comment
- Explanation: Polite and structured
- Example Sentence: As a closing remark, thank you.
- Best Use: Speeches
- Worst Use: Informal chat
- Tone: Polite
- Context Variability: professional
25. Phrase: Last on the list
- Meaning: Final item
- Explanation: Neutral phrasing
- Example Sentence: Last on the list is feedback.
- Best Use: Lists
- Worst Use: Emotional writing
- Tone: Neutral
- Context Variability: spoken
26. Phrase: Final mention
- Meaning: Last reference
- Explanation: Clear and direct
- Example Sentence: One final mention before we close.
- Best Use: Presentations
- Worst Use: Essays
- Tone: Neutral
- Context Variability: spoken
27. Phrase: Bringing it home
- Meaning: Strong finish
- Explanation: Emphatic close
- Example Sentence: Bringing it home, our mission matters.
- Best Use: Talks
- Worst Use: Formal writing
- Tone: Confident
- Context Variability: spoken
28. Phrase: To sum up
- Meaning: Summarizes ideas
- Explanation: Clear wrap-up phrase
- Example Sentence: To sum up, these are the goals.
- Best Use: Writing
- Worst Use: Casual chat
- Tone: Neutral
- Context Variability: professional
29. Phrase: Final note
- Meaning: Closing reminder
- Explanation: Polite and brief
- Example Sentence: A final note regarding deadlines.
- Best Use: Emails
- Worst Use: Speeches
- Tone: Polite
- Context Variability: written
30. Phrase: The last point worth noting
- Meaning: Important final idea
- Explanation: Emphasizes relevance
- Example Sentence: The last point worth noting is safety.
- Best Use: Reports
- Worst Use: Casual talk
- Tone: Formal
- Context Variability: professional
Pull Quote:
“The right transition changes how your message is remembered.”
Mini Quiz / Self-Check
- Best phrase for a formal presentation?
a) Last up
b) To conclude
c) One more thing - Most casual option?
a) In closing
b) And lastly
c) Equally important - Best replacement in a business email?
a) Final note
b) Last but not least
Comparison Table: Top Alternatives
| Phrase | Tone | Best Use |
|---|---|---|
| Finally | Neutral | Presentations |
| To conclude | Formal | Speeches |
| As a final point | Professional | Meetings |
| In closing | Polite | Emails |
| Equally important | Formal | Reports |
| And lastly | Casual | Speaking |
| One final thing | Friendly | Conversation |
| Ultimately | Formal | Writing |
| To wrap up | Semi-formal | Talks |
| In summary | Formal | Academic work |
FAQs
1. Is “last but not least” informal?
Yes, it is mostly informal and conversational.
2. Can I use it at work?
It’s polite, but alternatives sound more professional.
3. What’s the best professional replacement?
“As a final point” or “to conclude.”
4. Is it grammatically correct?
Yes, it’s a fixed idiomatic expression.
5. Should I avoid it in formal writing?
Yes, use formal alternatives instead.
Conclusion
Learning other ways to say last but not least helps you sound clearer, more fluent, and more professional. Variety improves both spoken and written English.
Practice these transitions daily and choose based on tone and context. Mastering transitions is a powerful step toward confident English communication.
See also:
- Other Ways to Say In Conclusion
- Professional English Transition Phrases Guide
CTA:
Try replacing “last but not least” in your next email or presentation and level up your English.
Richard Branson is a professional blogger at SynonymHub.com, dedicated to exploring synonyms, vocabulary and the art of precise expression. He guides readers in enriching their language and communicating with clarity and confidence.
