finish
1 of 2verb
fin·ish ˈfi-nish 
finished; finishing; finishes
intransitive verb
1
a
: to come to an end : terminate
The meeting finished at noon.
b
: end sense 1b
2
a
: to come to the end of a course, task, or undertaking
I shall finish with a Chopin nocturne
Lillian Hellman
Lillian Hellman b
: to end relations —used with with
decided to finish with him for good
3
: to end a competition in a specified manner or position
finished third in the race
transitive verb
1
a
: to bring to an end : terminate
finished the speech and sat down
b
: to use or dispose of entirely
her sandwich finished the loaf
2
a
: to bring to completion or issue
hope to finish their new home before winter
b
: to provide with a finish
especially : to put a final coat or surface on
finish a table with varnish
3
a
: to defeat or ruin utterly and finally
the scandal finished his career
b
: to bring about the death of —usually used with off
The gladiator finished off his opponent.
finisher noun
finish
2 of 2noun
1
: something that completes or perfects: such as
a
: the fine or decorative work required for a building or one of its parts
b
: a finishing material used in painting
c
: the final treatment or coating of a surface
d
: the taste in the mouth after swallowing a beverage (such as wine)
2
a
: final stage : end
b
: the cause of one's ruin
3
: the result or product of a finishing process
a glossy finish
4
: the quality or state of being perfected
Synonyms
Verb
- complete
- consummate
- finalize
- perfect
- polish
Noun
- capper
- close
- closing
- conclusion
- consummation
- end
- endgame
- ending
- finale
- finis
- grand finale
- homestretch
- mop-up
- windup
- wrap-up
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Verb You can't watch TV until you finish your homework. He started his homework two hours ago and he still hasn't finished. They hope to finish their new home by winter. They're building a new home and they hope to finish by winter. The chairman finished the meeting at noon. The meeting finished on a positive note. Noun a suspense film with a perfect surprise finish The table had a shiny finish. I need to put one more coat of finish on the chair. See More
Recent Examples on the Web Howard Fendrich, ajc, 9 Sep. 2022 The UConn men’s basketball team will begin Big East conference play for the 2022-23 season on the road at Butler on Dec. 17 and finish it on the road at Villanova on March 4. Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 9 Sep. 2022 On the near-touchdown catch in the front corner of the end zone in the first quarter, Harrison tried to pull the ball back to his body and secure it, but couldn’t finish before hitting the ground. Nathan Baird, cleveland, 7 Sep. 2022 Between the goals, Jamail Holmes, a sophomore forward, created numerous scoring chances, but couldn’t finish. Randy Mcroberts, Baltimore Sun, 6 Sep. 2022 In Russia, people heard a man who could never finish a sentence or get to the punch line—and whose accent marked him, to the end, as a country bumpkin. Masha Gessen, The New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2022 Anhedönia plans to finish the book on tour and deliver a final draft by the new year. Liam Hess, Vogue, 23 Aug. 2022 If the money comes through, Haukom said construction could ideally finish by 2025, although that date is not set in stone. Blake Nelsonstaff Reporter, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Aug. 2022 Wilson went on to finish second on Cleveland with 944 defensive snaps and 82 tackles that season. Mark Inabinett | Minabinett@al.com, al, 20 Aug. 2022 Marc Bona, cleveland, 11 Sep. 2022 The sophomore won the varsity race at the Lebanon Running Warrior Invitational in a time of 16:35.90, helping Milford to a third-place team finish. Melanie Laughman, The Enquirer, 10 Sep. 2022 Team USA came from eight points down to set up the finish. Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 10 Sep. 2022 Alongside an anti-reflective and UV-blocking finish, Warby Parker offers custom prescription lenses of any nature on all of its frames, including the Wright frame. Zee Krstic, Good Housekeeping, 9 Sep. 2022 Tannhauser said the process of welcoming a new retailer usually takes about six months start to finish. George Castle, Chicago Tribune, 9 Sep. 2022 The finish-line picture from the phototimer was inadvertently blocked by a judge. Frank Litsky, BostonGlobe.com, 9 Sep. 2022 The fit and finish of the $399 Px7 S2 is meticulous. Robert Ross, Robb Report, 9 Sep. 2022 Eastern Time, a record for the latest finish of a match at the U.S. Open. Helene Elliott, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2022 See More
Verb
Ruud used flawless footwork for side-to-side defense and found openings to deliver deep groundstrokes that could finish off points. Howard Fendrich, ajc, 9 Sep. 2022 The UConn men’s basketball team will begin Big East conference play for the 2022-23 season on the road at Butler on Dec. 17 and finish it on the road at Villanova on March 4. Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 9 Sep. 2022 On the near-touchdown catch in the front corner of the end zone in the first quarter, Harrison tried to pull the ball back to his body and secure it, but couldn’t finish before hitting the ground. Nathan Baird, cleveland, 7 Sep. 2022 Between the goals, Jamail Holmes, a sophomore forward, created numerous scoring chances, but couldn’t finish. Randy Mcroberts, Baltimore Sun, 6 Sep. 2022 In Russia, people heard a man who could never finish a sentence or get to the punch line—and whose accent marked him, to the end, as a country bumpkin. Masha Gessen, The New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2022 Anhedönia plans to finish the book on tour and deliver a final draft by the new year. Liam Hess, Vogue, 23 Aug. 2022 If the money comes through, Haukom said construction could ideally finish by 2025, although that date is not set in stone. Blake Nelsonstaff Reporter, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Aug. 2022 Wilson went on to finish second on Cleveland with 944 defensive snaps and 82 tackles that season. Mark Inabinett | Minabinett@al.com, al, 20 Aug. 2022 Noun
Very light with strong lime flavors, acidic finish. Marc Bona, cleveland, 11 Sep. 2022 The sophomore won the varsity race at the Lebanon Running Warrior Invitational in a time of 16:35.90, helping Milford to a third-place team finish. Melanie Laughman, The Enquirer, 10 Sep. 2022 Team USA came from eight points down to set up the finish. Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 10 Sep. 2022 Alongside an anti-reflective and UV-blocking finish, Warby Parker offers custom prescription lenses of any nature on all of its frames, including the Wright frame. Zee Krstic, Good Housekeeping, 9 Sep. 2022 Tannhauser said the process of welcoming a new retailer usually takes about six months start to finish. George Castle, Chicago Tribune, 9 Sep. 2022 The finish-line picture from the phototimer was inadvertently blocked by a judge. Frank Litsky, BostonGlobe.com, 9 Sep. 2022 The fit and finish of the $399 Px7 S2 is meticulous. Robert Ross, Robb Report, 9 Sep. 2022 Eastern Time, a record for the latest finish of a match at the U.S. Open. Helene Elliott, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Verb
Middle English finisshen, borrowed from Anglo-French finiss-, stem of finir, going back to Latlin fīnīre "to mark out the boundaries, limit, put an end to, bring to a close," derivative of fīnis "boundary, limit, ending" — more at final entry 1
Noun
derivative of finish entry 1
First Known Use
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a
Noun
1779, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing finish
Kids Definition
finish 1 of 2
verb
fin·ish ˈfi-nish
finished; finishing
1
: to bring or come to an end : complete
2
: to use up completely
I finished the pie.
3
: to end a competition in a certain position
I finished third in the race.
4
: to put a final coat or surface on
He finished the wood table with varnish.
finish
2 of 2noun
1
: end entry 1 sense 2, conclusion
The race had a close finish.
2
: the final treatment or coating of a surface or the appearance given by such a treatment
The table has a shiny finish.
finish 1 of 2
verb
1
as in to complete
to bring (something) to a state where nothing remains to be done we should finish the painting of the house by tomorrow Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- complete
- finalize
- polish
- accomplish
- perfect
- fulfill
- execute
- do
- get through
- consummate
- achieve
- fulfil
- improve
- effect
- perform
- stick out
- carry out
- refine
- better
- carry through
- enhance
- shine
- amend
- machine
- discharge
- ameliorate
- enrich
- touch up
- follow through (with)
- meliorate
- round (off or out)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- drop
- quit
- abandon
- discontinue
- forsake
- desert
2
as in to end
to bring (an event) to a natural or appropriate stopping point we'll finish the concert before dark Synonyms & Similar Words
- end
- complete
- conclude
- close
- wrap up
- wind up
- climax
- crown
- close out
- put paid to
- terminate
- perfect
- ring down the curtain (on)
- round (off or out)
- consummate
- suspend
- stop
- halt
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- start
- begin
- commence
- open
- inaugurate
3
as in to stop
to come to an end the three-day race finished yesterday Synonyms & Similar Words
- end
- stop
- conclude
- halt
- expire
- cease
- go
- pass
- close
- die
- terminate
- quit
- stall
- wind up
- discontinue
- elapse
- leave off
- determine
- lapse
- break off
- break up
- let up
- bite the dust
- stay
- pause
- dead-end
- suspend
- cut out
- wink (out)
- break down
- desist (from)
- give over
- lay off (of)
- knock off
- wind down
- refrain (from)
- pack (up or in)
- abate
- conk (out)
- peter (out)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- continue
- hang on
- persist
- prolong
- extend
- draw out
- protract
finish
2 of 2noun
1
as in ending
the last part of a process or action a pie-eating contest is the fair's traditional finish Synonyms & Similar Words
- ending
- end
- conclusion
- finale
- closing
- close
- finis
- culmination
- homestretch
- climax
- endgame
- grand finale
- consummation
- capper
- wrap-up
- top
- windup
- mop-up
- pinnacle
- peak
- summit
- crown
- capstone
- crescendo
- epilogue
- apex
- zenith
- coda
- copestone
- meridian
- tail end
- postscript
- coup de grace
- aftermath
- tip-top
- coup de grâce
- tag end
- high-water mark
- anticlimax
- acme
- epilog
- shank
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- start
- beginning
- opening
- dawn
- baseline
- introduction
- preface
- prologue
- prelude
- day one
- preamble
- nascency
- overture
- foreword
- nascence
- prolog
2
as in end
the stopping of a process or activity an all-out fight right to the finish Synonyms & Similar Words
- ending
- end
- halt
- close
- cessation
- conclusion
- stop
- stay
- closure
- shutdown
- cease
- cutoff
- stoppage
- offset
- termination
- arrest
- discontinuation
- shutoff
- discontinuance
- check
- closedown
- pause
- expiration
- lapse
- surcease
- suspension
- interruption
- arrestment
- break
- phaseout
- mop-up
- layoff
- standstill
- moratorium
- abeyance
- letup
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- continuation
- continuance
- extension
- persistence
- prolongation
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of finish are close, complete, conclude, end, and terminate. While all these words mean "to bring or come to a stopping point or limit," finish may stress completion of a final step in a process.
after it is painted, the house will be finished
The words close and finish can be used in similar contexts, but close usually implies that something has been in some way open as well as unfinished.
close a debate
The synonyms complete and finish are sometimes interchangeable, but complete implies the removal of all deficiencies or a successful finishing of what has been undertaken.
the resolving of this last issue completes the agreement
The meanings of conclude and finish largely overlap; however, conclude may imply a formal closing (as of a meeting).
the service concluded with a blessing
Although the words end and finish have much in common, end conveys a strong sense of finality.
ended his life
The words terminate and finish are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, terminate implies the setting of a limit in time or space.
your employment terminates after three months