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Meaning & use

finish

verb, noun·Everyday

Last updated

UK/ˈfɪnɪʃ/
US/ˈfɪnɪʃ/

Meanings

  1. verbtransitive or intransitive

    To reach the end of something you were doing, so that nothing more remains to be done.

    Grammar: With an object it names the task: finish homework; without one, it just ends: the meeting finished.

    Patterns

    • finish something
    • finish doing something
    • finish with something

    She finished her homework before dinner.

    The film finishes at ten o'clock.

    He finished eating and left the table.

  2. verbtransitive

    To use up or eat or drink the last part of something.

    Grammar: Often followed by off or up: finish off the cake.

    Patterns

    • finish something off
    • finish something up

    Who finished the milk?

    They finished the pizza in minutes.

    Please finish your soup.

  3. verbintransitivesport

    To reach a position at the end of a race or competition.

    Grammar: Followed by a position or adverb: she finished second.

    Patterns

    • finish first
    • finish ahead of someone

    He finished third in the marathon.

    Our team finished top of the league.

    She finished two seconds ahead of her rival.

  4. nouncountable

    The last part or end of something, such as a race or performance.

    Grammar: Often used for the end of a race: a close finish.

    Patterns

    • the finish of something
    • a close finish

    It was a thrilling finish to the race.

    The finish of the play surprised everyone.

    Fans cheered as the runners neared the finish.

  5. nouncountable

    The surface appearance of something after it has been treated, such as paint or varnish.

    Grammar: Often used with an adjective: a glossy finish.

    Patterns

    • a matte finish
    • a glossy finish

    The table has a smooth wooden finish.

    She chose a matte finish for the walls.

    The car's glossy finish shone in the sun.

Word forms

third person singularfinishes
past tensefinished
past participlefinished
-ing formfinishing
pluralfinishes

Common combinations

finish a task
Please finish the task by noon.
finish first
She finished first in her age group.
close finish
It was a close finish.
finish off
Let's finish off the work today.
glossy finish
The floor has a glossy finish.
finish with
I'll be finished with the book soon.

Synonyms and how they differ

complete
Complete is more formal and stresses making something whole, while finish simply means reaching the end.
end
End can mean stopping something even if it is not done, but finish suggests reaching a natural conclusion.
conclude
Conclude is formal and usually applies to meetings, speeches or arguments.
wrap up
Wrap up is informal and suggests tying up the last details.

Opposites

startbegin

Word family

finished adjective
completed, or no longer successful
finisher noun
a person who finishes, as in a race
finishing adjective
relating to the last stage, as in finishing touches
unfinished adjective
not complete

Commonly confused: finish or end? finish or complete?

finish vs end

End is a stop, while finish suggests you have done everything that was required.

finish vs complete

Complete is closer to making whole, but finish is just reaching the end.

Practice

She was so tired she could hardly ___ the last chapter of the book.

Make it your own

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