What are someone's last words, spoken on their deathbed, called? What about those that are perhaps left written or scribed on paper?


Last words is a fairly common term. There are numerous instances in movies where the antagonist asks the protagonist

"Any last words before I kill you?"

(.. Usually, the hero will make a pun and eventually manage to escape!)

You can also call it a person's

  • final words
  • dying words
  • ultimate words

(Note: The following is only applicable if the person commits suicide).

If it is in written form, it could probably be their death note or suicide note.

I am not sure if there exists an established term for the final written words of a person that died a natural death.


You could call it their swansong (or swan song) if their final words were part of a notable performance or activity.