finish

noun countable

UK /ˈfɪnɪʃ/

Word Forms

singular	finish
plural	finishes

1
the end of something
A swim in the sea seemed a perfect finish to the day.
I didn’t see the finish of the game.
from start to finish:
The holiday was absolute bliss from start to finish!
a close/tight finish:
Turnbull came in second in a very close finish.
Synonyms and related words
Ends, finishes and final stages
end
ending
finish
2
the appearance of a surface, for example whether it is smooth or rough
Sand the wood thoroughly for a lovely smooth finish.
a matt/shiny/glossy finish
Synonyms and related words
General words for texture
texture
finish
feel

finish

noun countable

US /ˈfɪnɪʃ/

Word Forms

singular	finish
plural	finishes

1
the end of something
A swim in the ocean seemed like a perfect finish to the day.
I didn’t see the finish of the race.
from start to finish:
The vacation was absolute bliss from start to finish.
a close/tight finish:
Turnbull came in second in a very close finish.
Synonyms and related words
Ends, finishes and final stages
end
ending
finish
2
the appearance of a surface, for example whether it is smooth or rough
Sand the wood thoroughly for a nice smooth finish.
a mat/shiny/glossy finish
Synonyms and related words
General words for texture
texture
finish
feel

finish

verb

UK /ˈfɪnɪʃ/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	finish
he/she/it	finishes
present participle	finishing
past tense	finished
past participle	finished

1

finish
or
finish off
intransitive/transitive to do the last part of something so that it is complete
I’ve nearly finished my work.
I wish you’d let me finish my sentence!
finish doing something:
She had just finished dressing the children when the phone rang.
Synonyms and related words
To finish something
complete
end
carry through
1. 1a
  to stop happening
  Lessons finish at midday.
  The game finished with the score at 1–1.
  Synonyms and related words
  To disappear, or to stop existing or happening
  X has left the building
  disappear
  finish
2

finish
or
finish off
or
finish up
transitive to eat, drink, or use all of something so that there is none left
We finished a bottle of wine between us.
Synonyms and related words
General words meaning to eat
eat
swallow
have
Synonyms and related words
General words meaning to drink
drink
swallow
have
Synonyms and related words
To use all or a lot of something
use up
run out
eat into
3
intransitive/transitive to be in a particular position at the end of a race or competition
finish first/second etc:
She finished fifth.
Synonyms and related words
Races and racing
ahead
a poor second
baton
4
transitive to rub a surface, or to put a substance on it, in order to make it smooth and attractive
The table was beautifully finished.
Synonyms and related words
To make something clean by rubbing
rub
wipe
polish

phrases

the finishing touch/touches

phrasal verbs

finish off

finish up

finish with

finish

verb

US /ˈfɪnɪʃ/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	finish
he/she/it	finishes
present participle	finishing
past tense	finished
past participle	finished

1

finish
or
finish off
intransitive/transitive to do the last part of something so that it is complete
I’ve nearly finished my work.
I wish you’d let me finish my sentence!
finish doing something:
She had just finished dressing the children when the phone rang.
Synonyms and related words
To finish something
finish with
complete
end
1. 1a
  to stop happening
  All classes finish at noon today.
  The game finished with the score tied .
  Synonyms and related words
  To disappear, or to stop existing or happening
  X has left the building
  disappear
  finish
2

finish
or
finish off
or
finish up
transitive to eat, drink, or use all of something so that there is none left
We finished a bottle of wine between us.
Synonyms and related words
General words meaning to eat
eat
swallow
have
Synonyms and related words
General words meaning to drink
drink
swallow
have
Synonyms and related words
To use all or a lot of something
use up
run out
eat into
3
intransitive/transitive to be in a particular position at the end of a race or competition
finish first/second etc.:
She finished fifth.
Synonyms and related words
Races and racing
ahead
a poor second
baton
4
transitive to rub a surface, or to put a substance on it, in order to make it smooth and attractive
The table was beautifully finished.
Synonyms and related words
To make something clean by rubbing
rub
wipe
polish

phrases

the finishing touch/touches

phrasal verbs

finish off

finish up

finish with

finish ​‌‌

finish ​‌‌

finish ​‌‌‌

finish

finish off

finish

finish off

finish up

finish ​‌‌‌

finish

finish off

finish

finish off

finish up

finish

finish

finish

finish