finish
finish Lexical Profile
finish Game Scores & Validity
• noun
An end or final part or stage of an event, activity, or competitive race; the point at which a race ends.
"The marathon runners sprinted with everything they had left as they approached the finish."
The manner in which a manufactured article is completed in detail, or the protective and decorative surface coating applied to wood, metal, or fabric.
"The carpenter sanded the oak dining table and applied a smooth satin finish to protect the wood."
The lingering flavor, aroma, and tactile impression that remains on the palate after swallowing wine, spirits, or coffee.
"This aged red wine offers notes of dark cherry with a long, velvety finish."
• verb
To bring a task, activity, or process to an end; to complete all required parts of something.
"She stayed at the library until late in the evening to finish her research paper."
To come to the end of an activity, event, or period of time; to reach a specified final standing at the end of a competition.
"The symphony concert is scheduled to finish at ten o'clock tonight."
To eat, drink, or use the whole or the remainder of something so that nothing is left.
"Please finish your vegetables before asking for a slice of pie."
To complete the manufacture or decoration of an object by giving it an attractive or protective surface texture, coat, or final treatment.
"The cabinetmaker decided to finish the mahogany desk with a natural beeswax polish."
Word Nuance & Usage
When followed by a verb, "finish" requires a gerund (e.g., "She finished reading the book") rather than an infinitive ("to read"). It is also frequently confused with the demonym and language "Finnish" (relating to Finland), which is spelled with a double "n" and capitalized.
• Rhymes for finish
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in Middle English from Old French feniss-, the extended stem of fenir ("to end, conclude"), from Latin finire ("to limit, bound, bring to an end"), which derives from finis ("boundary, limit, end").