“Last but not least” – Meaning and Sentence Examples of This Common English Phrase

The phrase, last but not least, means “last in a line or list but not least in importance”:

I love you because you are smart, beautiful, and last but not least, funny.

This phrase is used most often when introducing or thanking a list of people. We often say the name of the most important (or featured) person last—especially when introducing people on stage for a performance or presentation. So, we say “last but not least” to oppose the idea that the last person (or item) is the least important.

More Examples of the Phrase “Last but not least” Used in a Sentence

1. And last but not least: cybersecurity.
2. Last but not least, Amber and Sarah.
3. Last but not least, let me apologize here for having written anything that you may find offensive.
4. Bank of America, JPMorgan, Capital One, Freeport McMoRan, Dow Chemical, AllState, Transocean and, last but not least, Goldman Sachs.
5. And last but not least, love what you do.