Definition of finish
intransitive verb
1a : to come to an end : terminate The meeting finished at noon.b : end 1b
2a : to come to the end of a course, task, or undertaking I shall finish with a Chopin nocturne — Lillian Hellmanb : to end relations —used with with decided to finish with him for good
3 : to end a competition in a specified manner or position finished third in the race
transitive verb
1a : to bring to an end : terminate finished the speech and sat downb : to use or dispose of entirely her sandwich finished the loaf
2a : to bring to completion or issue hope to finish their new home before winterb : to provide with a finish; especially : to put a final coat or surface on finish a table with varnish
3a : to defeat or ruin utterly and finally the scandal finished his careerb : to bring about the death of —usually used with off The gladiator finished off his opponent.
finisher
nounExplore M-W
Examples of finish in a Sentence
You can't watch TV until you finish your homework.
He started his homework two hours ago and he still hasn't finished.
They hope to finish their new home by winter.
They're building a new home and they hope to finish by winter.
The chairman finished the meeting at noon.
The meeting finished on a positive note.
Origin and Etymology of finish
Middle English finisshen, from Anglo-French finiss-, stem of finir, from Latin finire, from finis —see 1fine
First Known Use: 14th century
Synonym Discussion of finish
finish
Definition of finish
1 : something that completes or perfects: such asa : the fine or decorative work required for a building or one of its partsb : a finishing material used in paintingc : the final treatment or coating of a surfaced : the taste in the mouth after swallowing a beverage (such as wine)
2a : final stage : endb : the cause of one's ruin
3 : the result or product of a finishing process a glossy finish
4 : the quality or state of being perfected
Examples of finish in a Sentence
a suspense film with a perfect surprise finish
The table had a shiny finish.
I need to put one more coat of finish on the chair.
Origin and Etymology of finish
see 1finish
First Known Use: 1779
FINISH Defined for English Language Learners
finish
playDefinition of finish for English Language Learners
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: to reach the end of (something) : to stop doing (something) because it is completed
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: to be done with building or creating (something)
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: to cause something to end or stop : to reach the end of something
finish
Definition of finish for English Language Learners
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: the last part of something
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: the final coating on a surface or the appearance produced by such a coating
FINISH Defined for Kids
Definition of finish for Students
finished
;finishing
1 : to bring or come to an end : complete
2 : to use up completely I finished the pie.
3 : to end a competition in a certain position I finished third in the race.
4 : to put a final coat or surface on He finished the wood table with varnish.
Word Root of finish
The Latin word finis, meaning “end” or “boundary,” gives us the root fin. Words from the Latin finis have something to do with ends or limits. Something final, such as the last chapter in a book, is the ending one. To confine is to put limits or boundaries around something. To finish something is to come to its end. Something finite has limits and happens only for a certain amount of time or in a certain space before it ends.
Definition of finish for Students
1 : 1end 2, conclusion The race had a close finish.
2 : the final treatment or coating of a surface or the appearance given by such a treatment The table has a shiny finish.
Learn More about finish
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See words that rhyme with finish Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for finish Spanish Central: Translation of finish Nglish: Translation of finish for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of finish for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about finish
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