finish
to bring (something) to an end or to completion; complete: to finish a novel; to finish breakfast.
to come to the end of (a course, period of time, etc.): to finish school.
to use completely (often followed by up or off): to finish up a can of paint; to finish off the rest of the milk.
to overcome completely; destroy or kill (often followed by off): This spray will finish off the cockroaches.
to complete and perfect in detail; put the final touches on (sometimes followed by up): He decided to finish his plan more carefully. She finished up a painting.
to put a finish on (wood, metal, etc.): We finished the desk in antique red lacquer.
to perfect (a person) in education, accomplishments, social graces, etc.
to ready (livestock) for market by feeding a diet calculated to produce the desired weight.
to come to an end: The course finishes in January.
to complete a course, project, etc. (sometimes followed by up): I finished before he did. It was nine o'clock when we finished up.
(of livestock) to become fattened for market.
the end or conclusion; the final part or last stage.
the end of a hunt, race, etc.: a close finish.
a decisive ending: a fight to the finish.
the quality of being finished or completed with smoothness, elegance, etc.: to admire the finish of one's writing.
educational or social polish.
the manner in which an object is perfected or finished in its preparation, or an effect imparted in finishing.
the surface coating or texture of wood, metal, etc.
something used or serving to finish, complete, or perfect a thing.
woodwork or the like, especially in the interior of a building, not essential to the structure but used for purposes of ornament, neatness, etc.: a finish of black walnut.
Also called finish coat, finishing coat . a final coat of plaster or paint.
a material for application in finishing.
Animal Husbandry. the fat tissue of livestock.
the flavor remaining in the mouth after a wine has been swallowed.
finish with,
to bring to completion: She's finished with her latest novel.
to put aside, break all relations with, or reject finally: He's finished with football and will play only baseball now. After the way they treated us, we're finished with them.
Origin of finish
1synonym study For finish
Other words for finish
Other words from finish
- fin·ish·er, noun
- non·fin·ish·ing, adjective, noun
- pre·fin·ish, verb (used with object), noun
Words that may be confused with finish
- Finnish, finish
Words Nearby finish
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use finish in a sentence
Then, knit three stitches and finish by increasing another one.
Then, as we approach the finish, we use it all up with a glorious sprint.
An impressive variety of layouts allows buyers to choose the one that best suits their lifestyle, although there are some signature elements intrinsic to the developer’s vision, like the bespoke finishes that were selected to stand the test of time.
Maddox House offers craftsmanship, thoughtful design | Greg Schneider | January 21, 2021 | Washington BladeWith these shelves, you will undoubtedly save space while creating a custom way to organize whether that be by color, brand, or finish.
Nail polish organizers to keep your collection in check | PopSci Commerce Team | January 20, 2021 | Popular-ScienceFor the optimal training experience, select one journey to watch live from start to finish.
I had been studying abroad in London, and came back to finish the semester at Tufts.
Everyone at This Dinner Party Has Lost Someone | Samantha Levine | January 6, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTIn 2008 and 2012, Huckabee and Santorum, respectively won the Iowa Caucus, but did not make it to the finish line.
“We would love to finish what we started some years ago,” Branson told journalists at a news conference with notable hesitancy.
You Were Wrong About Miley & Bitcoin: 2014’s Failed Predictions | Nina Strochlic | December 31, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTfinish the sauce by putting the roasting pan on the stovetop over medium-high heat.
Make Carla Hall’s Roasted Pork Loin With Cranberries | Carla Hall | December 24, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTHe said, “I am breaking my heart over this story, and cannot bear to finish it.”
Before he could finish the sentence the Hole-keeper said snappishly, "Well, drop out again—quick!"
Davy and The Goblin | Charles E. CarrylThe mother's lips could not finish the charge she was about to put upon her innocent child.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4 | Jane PorterHe shall give his mind to finish the glazing, and his watching to make clean the furnace.
The Bible, Douay-Rheims Version | VariousI suppose I must take you down to see the old man, and then we'll go straight off to Rome, and finish the winter there.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3) | Charles James WillsShe's been three times; but it's so sad; the story is a beautiful one, only she doesn't think he'll live to finish it.
Rosemary in Search of a Father | C. N. Williamson
British Dictionary definitions for finish
/ (ˈfɪnɪʃ) /
to bring to an end; complete, conclude, or stop
(intr sometimes foll by up) to be at or come to the end; use up
to bring to a desired or complete condition
to put a particular surface texture on (wood, cloth, etc)
(often foll by off) to destroy or defeat completely
to train (a person) in social graces and talents
(intr foll by with)
to end a relationship or association
to stop punishing a person: I haven't finished with you yet!
the final or last stage or part; end
the death, destruction, or absolute defeat of a person or one side in a conflict: a fight to the finish
the person, event, or thing that brings this about
the surface texture or appearance of wood, cloth, etc: a rough finish
a preparation, such as varnish, used to produce such a texture
a thing, event, etc, that completes
completeness and high quality of workmanship
refinement in social graces
sport ability to sprint at the end of a race: he has a good finish
Origin of finish
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with finish
see from soup to nuts (start to finish); in at the death (finish).
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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