Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense finishes, present participle finishing, past tense, past participle finished
1. verb
When you finish doing or dealing with something, you do or deal with the last part of it, so that there is no more for you to do or deal with.
As soon as he'd finished eating, he excused himself. [VERB verb-ing]
Mr Gould was given a standing ovation and loud cheers when he finished his speech. [VERB noun]
I've practically finished the ironing. [VERB noun/verb-ing]
Synonyms: stop, close, complete, achieve More Synonyms of finish
Finish up means the same as finish.
[US]
We waited a few minutes outside his office while he finished up his meeting. [VERBPARTICLE noun]
2. verb
When you finish something that you are making or producing, you reach the end of making or producing it, so that it is complete.
The consultants had been working to finish a report this week. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: get done, complete, put the finishing touch(es) to, finalize More Synonyms of finish
Finish off and, in American English, finish up mean the same as finish.
Now she is busy finishing off a biography of Queen Caroline. [VERBPARTICLE noun]
...the amount of stuff required to finish up a movie. [VERBPARTICLE noun]
3. verb
When something such as a course, film, or sale finishes, especially at a planned time, it ends.
The teaching day finishes at around 4pm. [V + at/on/by]
When a play finishes its run, the costumes are hired out to amateur dramatics companies. [VERB noun]
[Also VERB]
Synonyms: end, stop, conclude, wind up More Synonyms of finish
4. verb
You say that someone or something finishes a period of time or an event in a particular way to indicate what the final situation was like. You can also say that a period of time or an event finishes in a particular way.
The two of them finished by kissing each other goodbye. [VERB + by]
The evening finished with the welcoming of three new members. [VERB + with]
They finished the meal with a fresh fruit salad. [VERB noun with noun]
He finished the day two holes up. [V n adj/adv]
The last track finishes this compilation beautifully. [V n adj/adv]
5. verb
If someone finishes second, for example, in a race or competition, they are in second place at the end of the race or competition.
He finished second in the championship four years in a row. [V ord]
6. verb
To finish means to reach the end of saying something.
Her eyes flashed, but he held up a hand. 'Let me finish.' [VERB]
7. singular noun [with poss]
The finish of something is the end of it or the last part of it.
I intend to continue it and see the job through to the finish.
From start to finish he believed in me, often more than I did myself.
Synonyms: end, ending, close, closing More Synonyms of finish
8. countable noun
The finish of a race is the end of it.
Win a trip to see the finish of the Tour de France! [+ of]
It was a close finish but I won.
9. countable noun
If the surface of something that has been made has a particular kind of finish, it has the appearance or texture mentioned.
The finish and workmanship of the woodwork was excellent.
Synonyms: surface, appearance, polish, shine More Synonyms of finish
10. See also finished
11.
See fight to the finish
12.
See the finishing touch
Phrasal verbs:
See finish off
See finish up
See finish with
More Synonyms of finish
finish in British English
(ˈfɪnɪʃ)
verb(mainly tr)
1.
to bring to an end; complete, conclude, or stop
2. (intransitive; sometimes foll byup)
to be at or come to the end; use up
3.
to bring to a desired or complete condition
4.
to put a particular surface texture on (wood, cloth, etc)
5. (often foll by off)
to destroy or defeat completely
6.
to train (a person) in social graces and talents
7. (intransitive; foll bywith)
a.
to end a relationship or association
b.
to stop punishing a person
I haven't finished with you yet!
noun
8.
the final or last stage or part; end
9.
a.
the death, destruction, or absolute defeat of a person or one side in a conflict
a fight to the finish
b.
the person, event, or thing that brings this about
10.
a.
the surface texture or appearance of wood, cloth, etc
a rough finish
b.
a preparation, such as varnish, used to produce such a texture
11.
a thing, event, etc, that completes
12.
completeness and high quality of workmanship
13.
refinement in social graces
14. sport
ability to sprint at the end of a race
he has a good finish
Word origin
C14: from Old French finir, from Latin fīnīre see fine1
finish in American English
(ˈfɪnɪʃ)
verb transitive
1.
a.
to bring to an end; complete
to finish the work
b.
to come to the end of
to finish a book
2.
to use up; consume entirely
finish your milk
3.
to give final touches to; embellish or perfect
4.
to treat (a cut edge, esp. of a garment), as by pinking, serging, or binding, in order to prevent raveling
5.
to give (cloth, leather, wood, etc.) a desired surface effect
6.
a.
to cause the defeat, collapse, death, etc. of
b.
to render worthless, useless, helpless, etc.
verb intransitive
7.
to come to an end; terminate
8.
to complete something being done
9.
to complete a contest in a specified position
to finish last
noun
10.
the last part; end
11.
anything used to give a desired surface effect, as paint, varnish, polish, wax, etc.
12.
completeness; perfection
13.
the manner or method of completion
14.
the way in which the surface, as of furniture, is painted, varnished, smoothed, polished, etc.
15.
refinement as in manners, speech, etc.; polish in social or cultural matters
16.
defeat, collapse, etc. or that which brings it about; downfall
17.
the taste a wine leaves in the mouth after it has been swallowed
18. Carpentry
joiner work, as the installation of doors, stairs, panels, etc., which completes the interior of a building
SIMILAR WORDS: close
Idioms:
finish off
finish up
finish with
in at the finish
Derived forms
finisher (ˈfinisher)
noun
Word origin
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 > dike1, L figere, fix
Examples of 'finish' in a sentence
finish
She told me she had finished with her last boyfriend four months ago.
The Sun (2016)
Play should finish around midnight on each day.
The Sun (2016)
Your job is to finish off the gravy.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
There are more summit finishes in the final week.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
City have done enough with a draw but finishing second is fraught with danger.
The Sun (2016)
Facts pouring out as if it was a race to the finish.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Can you see the beautiful finish?
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It was nicely cut up by the time we'd finished!
The Sun (2017)
Or the white and smooth stuff - concrete offers a varied palette of colours, textures and finishes.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The better the driver, the better it is for me when I finish ahead of them.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Will again be up there in the championship and should finish third or fourth.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
This was a good finish to the last few weeks.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
We need to win if we want to finish as champions.
The Sun (2009)
Here is a list of jobs you must finish before lunchtime.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
They sent electricians the next day to finish the job.
The Sun (2007)
It is beautifully finished and fully lined.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
He needs to work on his touches and his finishing in front of goal.
The Sun (2015)
They would do well to finish one season in the top ten.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
To finish with a final win would be very special.
The Sun (2006)
We are used to finishing the championship well.
The Sun (2013)
Last month he finished his first headline tour.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Leicester are overwhelming favourites to finish as champions.
The Sun (2016)
Can we finish ahead of them?
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The proportion rises to 19% by the time they finish primary school.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Purple goes all soft and romantic in the new year, with powder textures and matt finishes.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
But she couldn't see the finish line.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
They turned things around and finished in mid-table.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
I left before the race had finished.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
He danced to the finish.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Finish with a second and, for best effects, a third coat.
The Sun (2015)
We basically rode him into that fourth place finish in the Tour de France.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
She hasn't finished with dance, of course.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
We covered 300 yards and I finished six inches ahead.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Quotations
To finish a work? To finish a picture? What nonsense! To finish it means to be through with it, to kill it, to rid it of its soul, to give it its final blow ... the coup de grâce for the painter as well as for the picturePablo Picasso
In other languages
finish
British English: finish /ˈfɪnɪʃ/ NOUN
The finish of something is the end of it or the last part of it.
I intend to continue it and see the job through to the finish.
American English: finish
Arabic: نِهَايَة
Brazilian Portuguese: término
Chinese: 完成
Croatian: završnica
Czech: konec
Danish: afslutning
Dutch: voltooiing
European Spanish: final retoque
Finnish: loppu
French: arrivée
German: Ende
Greek: τέρμα
Italian: rifinitura
Japanese: 終わり
Korean: 끝
Norwegian: avslutning
Polish: koniec
European Portuguese: término
Romanian: sfârșit
Russian: конец
Latin American Spanish: final
Swedish: slutspurt
Thai: ตอนจบ
Turkish: son
Ukrainian: кінець
Vietnamese: phần kết thúc
British English: finish /ˈfɪnɪʃ/ VERB
When you finish doing or dealing with something, you do or deal with the last part of it, so that there is no more for you to do or deal with.
As soon as he'd finished eating, he excused himself.
American English: finish
Arabic: يُكْمِلُ
Brazilian Portuguese: terminar
Chinese: 完成
Croatian: završiti
Czech: dodělat
Danish: slutte
Dutch: voltooien
European Spanish: acabar
Finnish: lopettaa
French: finir
German: beenden
Greek: τελειώνω
Italian: finire
Japanese: 終える
Korean: ...을 끝내다
Norwegian: avslutte
Polish: skończyć
European Portuguese: terminar
Romanian: a termina
Russian: заканчивать
Latin American Spanish: acabar
Swedish: avsluta
Thai: เสร็จสิ้น
Turkish: bitmek son bulmak
Ukrainian: закінчувати
Vietnamese: kết thúc
All related terms of 'finish'
finish up
If you finish up in a particular place or situation , you are in that place or situation after doing or experiencing several things.
finish line
a line that marks the end of a race
finish off
If you finish off something that you have been eating or drinking , you eat or drink the last part of it with the result that there is none left .
finish with
If you finish with someone or something, you stop dealing with them, being involved with them, or being interested in them.
matt finish
a dull finish or surface, as opposed to a shiny one
silk finish
the appearance of paint , fabric etc with regard to its smoothness and light reflecting quality
gloss finish
a reflective or shiny surface, usually on a photograph but also sometimes on metal, paper, paint , etc
mirror finish
a smooth highly polished surface produced on metal by mechanical or electrolytic polishing or lapping
photo finish
If the end of a race is a photo-finish , two or more of the competitors cross the finishing line so close together that a photograph of the finish has to be examined to decide who has won.
sprint finish
the end of a long race in which competitors speed up as they approach the finish line
blanket finish
a finish so close that a blanket would cover all the contestants involved
finish college
A college is an institution where students study after they have left school.
Garrison finish
a close finish , as in a horse race , in which the winner comes from behind at the last moment
finish a book
A book is a number of pieces of paper, usually with words printed on them, which are fastened together and fixed inside a cover of stronger paper or cardboard . Books contain information, stories , or poetry , for example.
grandstand finish
a close or exciting ending to a sports match or competition
in at the finish
being present or taking part at the conclusion , as of a contest
fight to the finish
A fight to the finish is one in which one of the people or groups fighting is killed or completely defeated .
finishing line
In a race, the finishing line is the place on the track or course where the race officially ends.
Chinese translation of 'finish'
finish
(ˈfɪnɪʃ)
n
(s) (= end) 结(結)束 (jiéshù)
(c) (Sport) 终(終)点(點) (zhōngdiǎn) (个(個), gè)
(c) (= appearance, texture) 末道漆 (mòdàoqī)
vt
[work]结(結)束 (jiéshù)
[task, report, book]完成 (wánchéng)
[drink]喝完 (hēwán)
[sandwich]吃完 (chīwán)
[cigarette]吸完 (xīwán)
vi
[course, event]结(結)束 (jiéshù)
[person]说(說)完 (shuōwán)
a close finish (Sport) 扣人心弦的终(終)场(場) (kòu rén xīnxián de zhōngchǎng)
to finish doing sth做完某事 (zuòwán mǒushì)
to finish third (in race, competition) 最后(後)得了第三名 (zuìhòu déle dìsān míng)
to put the finishing touches to sth最后(後)完结(結)某事 (zuìhòu wánjié mǒushì)
she's finished with him (inf) 她已经(經)跟他分手了 (tā yǐjīng gēn tā fēnshǒu le)
如果有更多时(時)间(間)，我能够(夠)完成的 rúguǒ yǒu gèng duō shíjiān, wǒ nénggòu wánchéng de
1 (verb)
Definition
to be at or come to the end
He was cheered when he finished his speech.
Synonyms
stop
We need to stop wasting so much money.
close
He closed the meeting with his customary address.
complete
He had just completed his first novel.
achieve
There are many who will work hard to achieve these goals.
conclude
cease
A small number of firms have ceased trading.
accomplish
If we all work together, I think we can accomplish our goal.
execute
We are going to execute our campaign plan to the letter.
discharge
culminate
The parade will culminate in a firework display.
wrap up (informal)
terminate
round off
bring to a close or conclusion
Opposites
start
,
begin
,
create
,
undertake
,
embark on
,
commence
,
instigate
2 (verb)
Definition
to bring to a desired or complete condition
They've been working to finish a report this week.
Synonyms
get done
complete
put the finishing touch(es) to
finalize
They have not finalized the deal yet.
do
I was trying to do some work.
deal with
settle
As far as I'm concerned, the matter was settled yesterday.
conclude
fulfil
He is too ill to fulfil his duties.
carry through
get out of the way
make short work of
3 (verb)
Definition
to be at or come to the end
The teaching day finished at around 4pm.
Synonyms
end
Talks have resumed to try to end the fighting.
stop
The music stopped and the lights were turned up.
conclude
They concluded their annual summit meeting today.
wind up
terminate
Her next remark abruptly terminated the conversation.
4 (verb)
He had finished school and was waiting to go to university.
Synonyms
leave
I left school with no qualifications.
complete
quit
I'm trying to quit biting my nails.
drop out of
pack in (informal)
5 (verb)
He finished his dinner and left.
Synonyms
consume
Andrew would consume nearly two pounds of cheese per day.
dispose of
devour
She devoured half an apple pie.
polish off
drink
He drank his cup of tea.
eat
She was eating a sandwich.
neck (slang)
drain
She drained the contents of her glass and refilled it.
get through
dispatch
He dispatched his business.
hoover (informal)
deplete
substances that deplete the ozone layer
6 (verb)
Definition
to be at or come to the end
Once you have finished all 21 pills, stop for seven days.
Synonyms
use up
use
You used all the ice cubes and didn't put the ice trays back.
spend
My stepson was spending money like it grew on trees.
empty
Cross emptied his glass with one swallow.
exhaust
We have exhausted almost all our food supplies.
expend
the amount of money expended on this project so far
7 (verb)
Definition
to put a particular surface texture on (wood, cloth, or metal)
The bowl is finished in a pearlized lustre.
Synonyms
coat
polish
stain
texture
wax
varnish
The floors have all been varnished.
gild
veneer
lacquer
smooth off
face
8 (verb)
I played well but I didn't finish him off.
Synonyms
destroy
The team destroyed their opponents in a one-sided game.
defeat
He swore to defeat the plan.
overcome
the satisfaction of overcoming a rival
bring down
best
worst
ruin
Roads have been destroyed and crops ruined.
get rid of
dispose of
rout
The Norman army routed the English opposition.
put an end to
overpower
Britain's tennis No.1 yesterday overpowered his American rival.
annihilate
put paid to
move in for the kill
drive to the wall
administer or give the coup de grâce
9 (verb)
A further volley of bullets finished him off.
Synonyms
kill
More than 200 people were killed in the disaster.
murder
a thriller about two men who murder a third
destroy
The horse had to be destroyed.
do in (slang)
take out (slang)
massacre
Troops indiscriminately massacred the defenceless population.
butcher
Our people are being butchered in their own homes.
slaughter
They were slaughtered by invaders.
dispatch
They may catch him and dispatch him immediately.
slay (archaic, literary)
the hill where he slew the dragon
eradicate
battling to eradicate illnesses such as malaria and tetanus
do away with
blow away (slang, mainly US)
knock off (slang)
annihilate
The army was annihilated.
exterminate
A huge effort was made to exterminate the rats.
take (someone's) life
bump off (slang)
10 (verb)
Synonyms
perfect
He worked hard to perfect his drawing technique.
polish
Polish up your writing skills on a one-week course.
elaborate
The plan was elaborated by five members of the council.
refine
Surgical techniques are constantly being refined.
1 (noun)
Definition
the final stage or part
I intend to see the job through to the finish.
Synonyms
end
His big scene comes towards the end of the film.
ending
The film has a Hollywood happy ending.
close
Her retirement brings to a close a successful chapter in the school's history.
closing
conclusion
At the conclusion of the programme, viewers were invited to phone in.
run-in
winding up (informal)
wind-up
completion
The project is near completion.
finale
It was a sad finale to a spectacular career.
termination
a dispute which led to the abrupt termination of trade
culmination
This week's events are the culmination of a long-running row between the two countries.
cessation
last stage(s)
denouement
the book's sentimental denouement
finalization
Opposites
beginning
,
birth
,
conception
,
genesis
,
preface
,
inauguration
,
preamble
,
inception
,
prologue
,
commencement
,
instigation
2 (noun)
Definition
the surface texture of wood, cloth, or metal
The finish of the woodwork was excellent.
Synonyms
surface
appearance
polish
I admired the high polish of his boots.
shine
The wood has been recently polished to bring back the shine.
grain
Brush the paint over the wood in the direction of the grain.
texture
It is used in moisturisers to give them a silky texture.
glaze
hand-painted tiles with decorative glazes
veneer
bath panels fitted with a mahogany veneer
lacquer
lustre
smoothness
the strength and smoothness of his movements
patina
3 (noun)
Definition
death or absolute defeat
Synonyms
defeat
end
Soon after we spoke to him, he met a violent end.
death
the death of everything he had ever hoped for
ruin
It is the ruin of society.
curtains (informal)
bankruptcy
Many established firms were facing bankruptcy.
liquidation
annihilation
Political leaders fear the annihilation of their people.
end of the road
4 (noun)
Synonyms
polish
She was enormously popular for her charm and polish.
culture
He was a well-travelled man of culture and breeding.
perfection
sophistication
cultivation
She was a woman of cultivation and scholarship.
refinement
a girl who possessed both dignity and refinement
elaboration
Quotation
To finish a work? To finish a picture? What nonsense! To finish it means to be through with it, to kill it, to rid it of its soul, to give it its final blow ... the coup de grâce for the painter as well as for the picture [Pablo Picasso]
Additional synonyms
in the sense of accomplish
Definition
to complete
If we all work together, I think we can accomplish our goal.
Synonyms
realize,
produce,
effect,
finish,
complete,
manage,
achieve,
perform,
carry out,
conclude,
fulfil,
execute,
bring about,
attain,
consummate,
bring off (informal),
do,
effectuate,
put the tin lid on
in the sense of achieve
Definition
to gain by hard work or effort
There are many who will work hard to achieve these goals.
Synonyms
accomplish,
reach,
fulfil,
finish,
complete,
gain,
perform,
earn,
do,
get,
win,
carry out,
realize,
obtain,
conclude,
acquire,
execute,
bring about,
attain,
consummate,
procure,
bring off (informal),
effectuate,
put the tin lid on
in the sense of annihilate
Definition
to destroy (a place or a group of people) completely