unfinished

adjective

un·​fin·​ished ˌən-ˈfi-nisht 

: not finished:

a

: not brought to an end or to the desired final state

an unfinished building/play/sentence

b

: being in a rough state : unpolished

unfinished wood

c

: subjected to no other processes (such as bleaching or dyeing) after coming from the loom

Examples of unfinished in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Excess Home Decor and Furniture It’s generally a bad idea to store home furnishings in an unfinished basement. — Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 June 2026

Researchers recently published the results of an unfinished trial for a vagus nerve stimulator to treat heart failure, three years after the company pulled the plug on it. — Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 24 June 2026

But by the second half, the mixtape feels decidedly scrappier, like a soup of unfinished drafts. — Lydia Wei, Pitchfork, 23 June 2026

The final exercise remains unfinished, and six blank pages sit at the end of the notebook. — Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 22 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1539, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing unfinished

• unfinished business

Rhymes for unfinished

• semifinished
• undiminished
• diminished
• refinished
• finished

Kids Definition

unfinished

adjective

un·​fin·​ished ˌən-ˈfin-isht 

: not finished

especially : not brought to the desired state

unfinished furniture