finite
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
Synonyms
- limited
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
a finite number of possibilities the earth's finite supply of natural resources the finite human life span a finite verb such as “is” or “are”
Recent Examples on the Web But time is finite, especially in a sport with six weeks of spring training, a 162-game season, and now a four-round tier of playoffs. 
Gabe Lacques, USA TODAY, 18 Aug. 2022 Low margins mean that resources to allocate to the account are finite, and commonly the bare basics are done to get the account up and running with base-level performance. Todd Juneau, Forbes, 3 Aug. 2022 Your time at home is finite, and there are certainly better ways to spend it than driving all over the place for just one activity or outing. Annie Lane, cleveland, 30 July 2022 Your time at home is finite, and there are certainly better ways to spend it than driving all over the place for just one activity or outing. Annie Lane, oregonlive, 30 July 2022 Sadly, both are finite, and when sources of capital thin out, the power law of venture capital becomes a mission-critical consideration. Adam Felesky, Fortune, 19 July 2022 Economics is not about the number of atoms on a finite planet; economics is about knowledge, and knowledge has no physical limits. Steve Forbes, Forbes, 25 Aug. 2022 While the accuracy of smells and replicating how smells disperse naturally under our noses has improved, smell VR tech still faces basic challenges, like a limited number of smell cartridges that can fit into a headset, each with finite capacity. Wired, 2 Aug. 2022 The Nuremberg trials ended with twenty-four death sentences, twenty sentences of life in prison, and ninety-eight finite prison terms. Masha Gessen, The New Yorker, 1 Aug. 2022 See More
Gabe Lacques, USA TODAY, 18 Aug. 2022 Low margins mean that resources to allocate to the account are finite, and commonly the bare basics are done to get the account up and running with base-level performance. Todd Juneau, Forbes, 3 Aug. 2022 Your time at home is finite, and there are certainly better ways to spend it than driving all over the place for just one activity or outing. Annie Lane, cleveland, 30 July 2022 Your time at home is finite, and there are certainly better ways to spend it than driving all over the place for just one activity or outing. Annie Lane, oregonlive, 30 July 2022 Sadly, both are finite, and when sources of capital thin out, the power law of venture capital becomes a mission-critical consideration. Adam Felesky, Fortune, 19 July 2022 Economics is not about the number of atoms on a finite planet; economics is about knowledge, and knowledge has no physical limits. Steve Forbes, Forbes, 25 Aug. 2022 While the accuracy of smells and replicating how smells disperse naturally under our noses has improved, smell VR tech still faces basic challenges, like a limited number of smell cartridges that can fit into a headset, each with finite capacity. Wired, 2 Aug. 2022 The Nuremberg trials ended with twenty-four death sentences, twenty sentences of life in prison, and ninety-eight finite prison terms. Masha Gessen, The New Yorker, 1 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
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
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Phrases Containing finite
Kids Definition
finite
adjective
fi·nite ˈfī-ˌnīt
: having definite limits
I was given a finite number of choices.
finite
adjective
1
as in limited
having a limit our nation's natural resources are abundant, but they are also finite Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- limited
- confined
- restricted
- measurable
- fixed
- discrete
- defined
- circumscribed
- specific
- definable
- determinate
- definite
- established
- decided
- numerable
- precise
- fathomable
- set
- exact
- mensurable
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- infinite
- endless
- limitless
- unlimited
- boundless
- unbounded
- illimitable
- unrestricted
- indefinite
- unconfined
- indeterminate
- immeasurable
- undefined
- unfathomable
- measureless
- undefinable
2
as in restricted
having distinct or certain limits we have a finite number of options to consider Synonyms & Similar Words
- limited
- restricted
- defined
- definite
- narrow
- measured
- determinate
- bounded
- specific
- circumscribed
- small
- confined
- qualified
- detailed
- fixed
- tiny
- modified
- determined
- constricted
- puny
- precise
- exact
- modest
- moderate
- settled
- minute
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- infinite
- limitless
- indefinite
- endless
- dimensionless
- unbounded
- unlimited
- boundless
- immeasurable
- inexhaustible
- illimitable
- undefined
- measureless
- innumerable
- unmeasured
- incalculable
- unfathomable
- countless
- general
- inestimable
- bottomless
- indeterminate
- vague
- large
- unqualified
- nebulous
- vast
- unreserved
- considerable
- plentiful
- substantial
- extensive
- enlarged
- great
- copious
- major
- big
- sizeable
- sizable
- expanded
- goodly
- whole
- voluminous
- super
- oversized
- universal
- broad
- bulky
- largish
- handsome
- global
- hefty
- escalated
- expansive
- epic
- jumbo
- ample
- grandiose
- oversize
- respectable
- comprehensive
- inclusive
- bumper
- plenitudinous
- hulking
- sweeping
- cosmopolitan
- overscaled
- overscale
- whacking
- king-size
- king-sized
- first bases
- first bass
- first bite
- first blood
- first blush
- first border
- first bottom
- first call
- first captain
- first cause
- first classman
- first classmen
- first coat
- first come, first serve
- first come, first served
- first cousin
- first cross
- first day
- first day cover
- first defense
- first derivative
- first dibs on
- first division
- first down
- first downs