finish Definition
fin·ish (fin′is̸h)
transitive verb
- to bring to an end; complete to finish the work
- to come to the end of to finish a book
- to use up; consume entirely finish your milk
- to give final touches to; embellish or perfect
- to treat (a cut edge, esp. of a garment), as by pinking, serging, or binding, in order to prevent raveling
- to give (cloth, leather, wood, etc.) a desired surface effect
- to cause the defeat, collapse, death, etc. of
- to render worthless, useless, helpless, etc.
Etymology: ME finishen < extended stem of OFr finir < L finire, to end < finis, an end, limit, orig., boundary (post), something fixed in the ground < IE base *dhīgw-, to stick in > dike, L figere, fix
intransitive verb
- to come to an end; terminate
- to complete something being done
- to complete a contest in a specified position to finish last
noun
- the last part; end
- anything used to give a desired surface effect, as paint, varnish, polish, wax, etc.
- completeness; perfection
- the manner or method of completion
- the way in which the surface, as of furniture, is painted, varnished, smoothed, polished, etc.
- refinement as in manners, speech, etc.; polish in social or cultural matters
- defeat, collapse, etc. or that which brings it about; downfall
- the taste a wine leaves in the mouth after it has been swallowed
- Carpentry joiner work, as the installation of doors, stairs, panels, etc., which completes the interior of a building
finish Related Forms
finish Idioms
finish off
- to end or complete
- to kill or destroy
finish up
- to end or complete
- to consume all of
finish with
- to end or complete
- to end relations with; become indifferent to
in at the finish
being present or taking part at the conclusion, as of a contest
finish Synonyms
finish
n.
The end
close, termination, ending; see end 2.An applied surface
shine, polish, burnish, glaze, surface, coating. Finishes include: shellac, shellack, oil, turpentine, lacquer, size, stain, varnish, polish, wall paper, wash, whitewash, alabastine, calcimine, paint, casein paint, flat paint, cold-water paint, Bakelite enamel (trademark), tung-oil, enamel, gold leaf, aluminum paint, anticorrosion paint, wax, veneer, japan, cement, stucco, megilp, luster.
finish Synonyms
finish
v.
finish Usage Examples
Object
- runner-up: So we can do not hold finishing runner-up to.
- touch: He is currently putting the finishing touches to his novel Zoetrope.
Preposition: at
5pm: The seminar will begin with a buffet lunch at 12.30 pm and finish at 5pm with a glass of champagne.
Adjective modifier
- matt: Plus Points: A fine textured cream with a matt finish, suitable for all skin types.
- smooth: The sugar cane used in the rum gives it a silky smooth finish, which is ideal for creating the perfect cocktail.
- metallic: With stunning good looks and a sleek metallic black finish, Xda IIs stands out in the connected PDA world.
- polished: PLAN B 1 ) Smear glycerine on Clavinova keys and stool and buff to a polished finish.
- glossy: Good-quality black-and-white photographs ( glossy finish ), made directly from the work to be reproduced, are preferred.
Adjective complement
- fourth: Tom Richards also finished fourth in both his finals.
- 4th: Toyota kept things quiet and solid and snatched bundles of points to finish 4th.
- fifth: They eventually finished fifth, their best placing in post-war seasons.
- 5th: Neil Taylor in his XJ6 had a great drive, qualifying 9th and finishing 5th.
- seventh: It was an excellent achievement for the Lions, who had previously finished seventh of fifteen in the World Championships " .
- sixth: Duhamel finished sixth, just three seconds out of fourth.
Noun used with modifier
- podium: Ben, Rachel Green and Simon Crompton all claimed podium finishes on that occasion.
- satin: High coverage 1 liter per 10-15 square meters Durable satin finish.
- sprint: All cyclists start on square 0. 6. There are two sprint finish lines.
- lacquer: Impress 7000 Lacquer Finish All the features of the Impress 5000, with a tough lacquer finish that guarantees your badge for life.
Followed by a transitive particle
off: We finished off the camping with a lovely camp fire.
Followed by an intransitive particle
off: Why not finish off your trail with a cooling drink or a winter warmer?
Browse dictionary entries near finish
- ‹ finis
- ‹ fining
- ‹ finicky
- ‹ finicking
- ‹ finical
- ‹ finial
- ‹ fini
- ‹ fingertip
- ‹ fingerstall
- ‹ Fingerprinting
- finish line ›
- finished ›
- finishing nail ›
- finishing school ›
- Finisterre ›
- finite ›
- finito ›
- finitude ›
- fink ›
- Finland ›

