Finnish

1 of 2

adjective

Finn·​ish ˈfi-nish How to pronounce Finnish (audio)
: of, relating to, or characteristic of Finland, the Finns, or Finnish

Finnish

2 of 2

noun

: the Finno-Ugric language of the Finns

Examples of Finnish in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
On the nature and wildlife front, Norse Key will sell Finnish shows, including docs from local producer DokArt Ky. Kivinen has also snapped up rights to The Sound of Tine Thing Helseth, a music documentary from Norwegian pubcaster NRK. Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 1 July 2025 Swedish authorities opened a sabotage investigation, although the Finnish operator reported no service disruption. Jordan King john Feng, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025
Noun
After 80 years, Jansson’s great-nephew Thomas Zambra, director of business development at Moomin Characters Ltd., thinks the time is right for a Finnish Invasion. Patrick Sauer, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 June 2025 Finland’s 1919 constitution made provision for Swedish, which is still used by about 5% of the population, as a national language alongside Finnish. Thomas A. Dubois, The Conversation, 27 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for Finnish

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1699, in the meaning defined above

Noun

circa 1845, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Finnish was in 1699

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Cite this Entry

“Finnish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Finnish. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

Finnish

1 of 2 adjective
Finn·​ish ˈfin-ish How to pronounce Finnish (audio)
: of, relating to, or characteristic of Finland, the Finns, or Finnish

Finnish

2 of 2 noun
: a language of the Finns
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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