Definition

Referring to the position that is third from the end in a sequence or list.

Example

In a race with ten runners, the antepenultimate runner finished in eighth place.

Conversation

Did you know that the word antepenultimate refers to the one before the last?

Really? I had no idea; that’s interesting!

Yeah, so if you have a list, it's the third item from the end.

Got it! I’ll remember that for my next trivia night.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Definition

The third-to-last syllable or element in a sequence, especially in a word or list.

Example

In the word 'unhappiness', the antepenultimate syllable is 'hap'.

Conversation

Did you know that the term antepenultimate refers to the third to last item in a list?

No, I had no idea! That's interesting.

Yeah, I learned it while studying linguistics.

Root Explanation

Antepenultimate → It is formed from "ante-" (meaning before) and "paenultimus" (from Latin, meaning almost last). The word refers to the position that is before the last one, specifically the third from the end.

Memory Tip

Think of 'ante-' meaning 'before' and 'paenultimus' meaning 'almost last' — this helps you remember that 'antepenultimate' refers to the position before the last one.

Visually Confused Words