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¹finish

verb fin·ish \ˈfi-nish\

: to reach the end of (something) : to stop doing (something) because it is completed

: to be done with building or creating (something)

: to cause something to end or stop : to reach the end of something

Full Definition of FINISH

intransitive verb

a : to come to an end : terminate

b : end 1b

a : to come to the end of a course, task, or undertaking

b : to end relations —used with with <decided to finish with him for good>

: to end a competition in a specified manner or position <finished third in the race>

transitive verb

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>

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>

a : to defeat or ruin utterly and finally <the scandal finished his career>

b : to bring about the death of

— fin·ish·er noun

See finish defined for English-language learners

See finish defined for kids

Origin of FINISH

Middle English finisshen, from Anglo-French finiss-, stem of finir, from Latin finire, from finis

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to FINISH

Synonyms: complete, consummate, finalize, perfect, polish, get through

Antonyms: begin, commence, inaugurate, open, start

Synonym Discussion of FINISH

close, end, conclude, finish, complete, terminate mean to bring or come to a stopping point or limit. close usually implies that something has been in some way open as well as unfinished <close a debate>. end conveys a strong sense of finality <ended his life>. conclude may imply a formal closing (as of a meeting) <the service concluded with a blessing>. finish may stress completion of a final step in a process <after it is painted, the house will be finished>. 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>. terminate implies the setting of a limit in time or space <your employment terminates after three months>.

Rhymes with FINISH

Finnish, thinnish

²finish

noun

: the last part of something

: the final coating on a surface or the appearance produced by such a coating

Full Definition of FINISH

: something that completes or perfects: 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 (as wine)

a : final stage : end

b : the cause of one's ruin

: the result or product of a finishing process <a glossy finish>

: the quality or state of being perfected

See finish defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of FINISH

1779

Related to FINISH

Synonyms: capper, close, closing, conclusion, consummation, end, endgame, ending, finis, finale, grand finale, home stretch, mop-up, windup, wrap-up

Antonyms: baseline, beginning, dawn, day one, nascence, nascency, opening, start

Other Alcoholic Beverage Terms

gimlet, mull, sake, setup, sommelier, syllabub, vintner, wassail

Rhymes with FINISH

Finnish

FINISH[2] Defined for Kids

¹finish

verb fin·ish \ˈfi-nish\

fin·ishedfin·ish·ing

Definition of FINISH for Kids

: to bring or come to an end : complete

: to use up completely <I finished the pie.>

: to end a competition in a certain position <I finished third in the race.>

: to put a final coat or surface on <He finished the wood table with varnish.>

Word Root of FINISH

The Latin word finis, meaning “end” or “boundary,” gives us the root fin. Words from the Latin finis have something to do with ends or limits. Something final, such as the last chapter in a book, is the ending one. To confine is to put limits or boundaries around something. To finish something is to come to its end. Something finite has limits and happens only for a certain amount of time or in a certain space before it ends.