last but not least

last but not least

Cliché last in sequence, but not last in importance. (Often said when introducing people.) The speaker said, "And now, last but not least, I'd like to present Bill Smith, who will give us some final words." And last but not least, here is the final graduate.

See also: but, last, least, not

last but not least

Last in sequence but not least in importance, as in Last but not least, I want to thank all the people who sent me copies of my article in the paper . [Late 1500s]

See also: but, last, least, not

last but not least

COMMON You use last but not least to say that the last person or thing to be mentioned is as important as all the others. We are pleased to welcome her four sons, Christopher, twins Daniel and Nicholas, and last but not least 2-year-old Jack. And last but not least, try to eat fresh fruit rather than desserts loaded with sugar.

See also: but, last, least, not