Describing something that is not yet complete, concluded, or at its ultimate stage. It implies a temporary or preliminary state, a step in a process, or a version subject to potential changes and revisions. A non-final entity can be anything from a draft of a document to an unfinished product or a partially resolved issue. It contrasts with a state of completion or certainty and signifies the possibility of further development or alteration. The term suggests an interim phase before a definitive outcome.
Non-final meaning with examples
- The editor requested a revision of the document; therefore, the manuscript remained in a non-final state. The author made corrections based on the feedback. Now, it will go through the final proofreading stage before it is marked as complete. Until then, the document is still subject to revisions and modifications, which is common in the editing process.
- During the beta testing phase, the software version was considered non-final. Users encountered bugs and suggested improvements which the developers needed to fix. This meant there was a chance that the final version would look different. The developers were gathering valuable feedback and integrating it before releasing it for the final product.
- The negotiations for the contract remained non-final until all parties could agree on all of its terms. Several rounds of discussions led to counteroffers and proposals. The agreement was only considered completed when signatures were made. A non-final agreement can't be signed. This can sometimes lead to stress and anxiety until the final version.
- The artist viewed her painting as non-final until she felt the composition was balanced, the colors harmonized, and the message conveyed clearly. She continually tweaked elements, re-evaluating her work. This meant she could make changes that were not present. Only when she was certain of these items would she consider the piece complete and declare it finished.