The next to last syllable in a word.

synonyms: penult, penultima.

Dutch: voorlaatst

Second last:
— The author inadvertently reveals the murderer in the penultimate chapter.

synonym: next-to-last.

Roget 67: ending etc. v.; final, terminal, definitive; crowning etc. (completing) 729; last, ultimate; hindermost^†; rear etc. 235; caudal; vergent^†.    conterminate^†, conterminous, conterminable^†.    ended etc. v.; at an end; settled, decided, over, played out, set at rest; conclusive.    penultimate; last but one, last but two, etc. unbegun, uncommenced^†; fresh.    ... show more