finite

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adjective fi·nite \ ˈfī-ˌnīt \

Definition of finite

1 a :having definite or definable limits

a finite number of possibilities

b :having a limited nature or existence

finite beings

2 :completely determinable in theory or in fact by counting, measurement, or thought

the finite velocity of light

3 a :less than an arbitrary positive integer and greater than the negative of that integer

b :having a finite number of elements

a finite set

4 :of, relating to, or being a verb or verb form that can function as a predicate or as the initial element of one and that is limited (as in tense, person, and number)

finite verbs such as "is" and "are"

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finite

noun

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finitely

adverb

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finiteness

noun

See finite defined for English-language learners

See finite defined for kids

Examples of finite in a Sentence

a finite number of possibilities
the earth's finite supply of natural resources
the finite human life span
a finite verb such as “is” or “are”

Recent Examples of finite from the Web

The downshift in overall sales isn't for lack of funds among buyers, but rather a decrease that comes because classic cars of this caliber are a finite resource.

— Bloomberg.com, "Bloomberg’s Week in Pictures," 25 Aug. 2017
Those who hold power perceive progress as an attack, as if there are a finite number of rights to be allocated and marginalized people (in this case, students of color) are taking them away.

— natalie dahl, Seventeen, "We Need to Talk About Affirmative Action," 3 Aug. 2017
To semi-quote Legally Blonde, the rules of a good curl hair gel are simple and finite.

— rachel nussbaum, Glamour, "You Need This: This $3 Hair Gel Is the Curl World’s Best Kept Secret," 18 July 2017
Libra: The physical world might be finite — the continents have edges and the sea has a bottom — but this isn’t a week for acting like the whole world revolves around scarcity.

— claire comstock-gay, The Cut, "Madame Clairevoyant: Horoscopes for the Week of July 17," 17 July 2017
Traditionally, the DNA in which data is encoded is finite.

— ed yong, The Atlantic, "Scientists Can Use CRISPR to Store Images and Movies in Bacteria," 12 July 2017
Idaho bases the number of available licenses on population, so there are a finite number in the market.

— dana oland, idahostatesman, "Saint Lawrence Gridiron loses its liquor license to a new Downtown hotel," 10 July 2017
The veteran players who joined the group were acquired under the expectation that they would be traded, so their loyalty to this team was finite.

— matt gelb, Philly.com, "Freddy Galvis has become the Phillies' leader. But what is his future here?," 7 July 2017
Many are hoping the current era is but a blip, a finite period that will end at the end of Trump’s term, not the beginning of a fundamental shift.

— howard lafranchi, The Christian Science Monitor, "On world stage, Germany cautiously moves to the center as US eyes the wings," 5 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'finite.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of finite

Middle English finit, from Latin finitus, past participle of finire — see ¹finish

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First Known Use: 15th century

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finite Synonyms

Synonyms

limited

Antonyms

boundless, endless, illimitable, infinite, limitless, unbounded, unlimited

Related Words

circumscribed, confined, restricted; definable, defined, definite, determinate, discrete; decided, established, fixed, set; exact, precise, specific; fathomable, measurable, mensurable, numerable

Near Antonyms

unconfined, unrestricted; immeasurable, indefinite, indeterminate, measureless, undefinable, undefined, unfathomable

FINITE Defined for English Language Learners

finite

play

adjective

Definition of finite for English Language Learners

: having limits : having a limited nature
grammar : of or relating to a verb form that shows action that takes place at a particular time (such as the past)

FINITE Defined for Kids

finite

play

adjective fi·nite \ ˈfī-ˌnīt \

Definition of finite for Students

:having definite limits

I was given a finite number of choices.

Word Root of finite

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.

Learn More about finite

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for finite Spanish Central: Translation of finite Nglish: Translation of finite for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of finite for Arabic speakers

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