dernier

/ˈdəːnjeɪ/

//ˈdəːnjeɪ// adj

By · According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA) ·

"dernier" is a 7-letter English headword indexed on PlainSpell.

The verdict

“dernier” is uncommon English (frequency #98,016 among 3,470 “D” headwords), classed as an adjective. The kind of spelling people second-guess.

#98,016
frequency rank, English
3,470
“D” headwords

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed September 3, 2026) - Final, last.

Corpus desk

Index EN-dernier · dernier · English

dernier · rank #98,016 · 0 variants · 0 confusables

  • FREQ-RARE #98,016
  • LEN-LONG 7 letters
  • VOW-3 3 vowels
  • CONFUS-0 No pairs
  • VAR-0 0 variants
  • BOOK-MID 3,470
  • PHOTO-FINISH Deveraux

Nearest frequency peer: Deveraux (+3 rank slots)

Read with this headword: Spelling guide for this pattern

Desk codes from Wiktionary headword shape, FrequencyWords rank tier, confusable-pair count, generated misspelling depth, letter-cohort book size, and photo-finish peer. Not a difficulty grade.

Long-tail ranks near “dernier”

Sparse band: bars invert rank so rarer forms read shorter

corpus weight

What this shows Long-tail view: where “dernier” sits against similarly uncommon English ranks.

Source FrequencyWords open word-frequency list As of September 3, 2026
Key facts for dernier
PropertyValue
Headworddernier
LanguageEnglish
Part of speechAdjective
IPA/ˈdəːnjeɪ/
Letters7
Frequency rank#98,016
Misspellings tracked0
Confusable pairs0
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Long-tail rank of “dernier” in English

Every-word frequency runs from the handful of words we use constantly (left) to the long tail used once in a blue moon (right).dernierfalls in this rarity band:

#1#100#1K#10K#100K
← used constantlyrarely used →

Ticks step logarithmically, so each one marks a roughly tenfold drop in how often the word turns up. Rare peers in the same band: “Deveraux” (#98,019), “diable” (#98,022), “dement” (#98,009). Among 3,470 “D” headwords, “dernier” is #98,016. Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list.

Rare enough to double-check

dernier is uncommon English at frequency #98,016 among 3,470 “D” headwords, classed as anadjective, transcribed /ˈdəːnjeɪ/. Rarity is why readers land here mid-draft. Gloss: "Final, last.".

The misspelling generator found no plausible variants for dernier, which points to an orthography that plays by predictable English rules. This headword has no recorded confusable partner, since no other headword is close enough in sound or shape to pair with it.

Etymologically, the entry records: Borrowed from French dernier, a contraction of derrenier, from Old French derrain (“final, last”) (by analogy with premier), from Vulgar Latin *dēretrānus, from Latin dē (“from, away from”) + retrō (“back; backwards; behind”) + -ānus (“of or pertaining to”). The correct English form is dernier, spelled D-E-R-N-I-E-R.

Definition

  1. 1
    Final, last.

Recorded use

Wiktionary examples

These source excerpts show how dernier appears in context. They illustrate usage; the definition above remains the entry’s reference meaning.

  1. Then as I'm a Chriſtian, I ſuſpect we have both been equally involv'd in the misfortune of a Miſtake. Sir, I am in the dernier Confuſion to avow, that tho my Daughter Conſtantia has been liable to ſeveral Addreſſes; yet ſhe never has had the Honour to be produc'd to his Grace.
  2. That thoſe laws of Ed[ward] 3 for Annual Parliaments are pro bono publico [for the public good], and of the greateſt concern to the Nation, beſides they are made concerning the higheſt Court of Judicature, of the Dernier Reſort, and which regulates and keeps all the reſt in order, needs not a proof to any reaſonable man.

Etymology

Borrowed from French dernier, a contraction of derrenier, from Old French derrain (“final, last”) (by analogy with premier), from Vulgar Latin *dēretrānus, from Latin dē (“from, away from”) + retrō (“back; backwards; behind”) + -ānus (“of or pertaining to”).

Definitions, pronunciation, and etymology for this entry are drawn from Wiktionary via the kaikki.org structured extract (CC BY-SA); frequency ordering uses the FrequencyWords open word-frequency list (2018 English corpus, MIT). See the methodology for how each field is sourced and updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you spell "dernier"?
"dernier" is spelled D-E-R-N-I-E-R. The IPA pronunciation is /ˈdəːnjeɪ/.
What does "dernier" mean?
As an adjective, "dernier" means: Final, last.
How do you pronounce "dernier"?
The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription for "dernier" is /ˈdəːnjeɪ/. Click the speaker icon on the pronunciation badge above to hear it spoken aloud where audio is available.
What is the origin of the word "dernier"?
Borrowed from French dernier, a contraction of derrenier, from Old French derrain (“final, last”) (by analogy with premier), from Vulgar Latin *dēretrānus, from Latin dē (“from, away from”) + retrō (“back; backwards; behind”) + -ānus (“of or perta... See the full etymology section above for more details.
Is PlainSpell free to use?
Yes, PlainSpell is a completely free word reference. You can look up definitions, pronunciations, confusable pairs, homophones, and spelling corrections across 5 languages without any sign-up or subscription.

Similar English words by spelling shape

Same letter count and similar misspelling depth for "dernier", not the corpus desk frequency band.

Same letter count

Frequency-ranked English headwords with 7 letters (nearest by frequency rank).

Diggins#98,028dingbat#98,030Crossan#97,982Ebonics#98,054

Source: Wiktionary (via kaikki.org) Structured Wiktionary extract

Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list