finite

1 of 2

adjective

fi·​nite ˈfī-ˌnīt 

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"

finite noun

finitely adverb

finiteness noun

finiteness

2 of 2

noun

fi·​nite·​ness

plural -es

: the quality or state of being finite

recoiled at the thought that the quality of finiteness was not foreign to Eden

—Thomas Hardy

Synonyms of finite

Adjective

• limited
• confined

Examples of finite in a Sentence

Adjective

a finite number of possibilities

the earth's finite supply of natural resources

the finite human lifespan

a finite verb such as “is” or “are”

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The total addressable market, while large, is finite — and international sales are likely to be constrained by the understandable preference for local vendors wherever national security is concerned. — Michael Khouw, CNBC, 24 July 2026

Context is finite and costly, and anything pasted into it is a snapshot frozen at the moment of copying. — Derek Williams, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026

In his continued research, and specifically in his work with Jeanne Nakamura in 2002, Csikszentmihalyi theorized that the human brain has finite processing power of about 120 bits per second. — April Dávila, Literary Hub, 22 July 2026

Dance music, too, tries to spin a finite moment into something eternal. — Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 21 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, borrowed from Latin fīnītus "specific, definite, having bounds or limits," from past participle of fīnīre "to mark out the boundaries, limit, put an end to, bring to a close" — more at finish entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing finite

• finite difference

Rhymes for finite

• affright
• airtight
• albite
• alight
• alright
• aplite
• aright
• bainite
• birthright
• bobwhite
• bornite
• bullfight

Kids Definition

finite

adjective

fi·​nite ˈfī-ˌnīt 

1

: having certain limits : limited in scope or nature : not infinite

2

: limited in grammatical person and number

a finite verb

finitely adverb

finiteness noun