unfinished

[uhn-fin-isht]

adjective

1. not finished; finished; incomplete or unaccomplished.

2. lacking some special finish or surface treatment, as polish, paint, etc.

3. (of cloth) not sheared following the looming process.

4. (of worsted) given a slight nap.

unfinished

/ ʌnˈfɪnɪʃt /

adjective

1. incomplete or imperfect

2. (of paint, polish, varnish, etc) without an applied finish; rough

3. (of fabric) unbleached or not processed

4. (of fabric) with a short nap

Other Word Forms

• unfinishedness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of unfinished¹

First recorded in 1530–40; un- ¹ + finished

Example Sentences

The team found an array of unfinished craft items all over the house, including an unfinished crochet bag from 15 years ago.

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To that extent, the Middle East may be seen by Sir Tony as unfinished business.

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The home remains unfinished and their lives unsettled.

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Throughout the day, speakers portrayed Kirk as both martyr and movement-builder, with one message consistent across four hours: “Charlie died with incomplete work,” Erika Kirk said, “but not with unfinished business.”

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For Lepore, the Constitution is a blueprint of a cathedral, one that has morphed since its inception, rather like New York’s unfinished St. John the Divine with its mélange of architectural styles.

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Related Words

• bare 
• incomplete 
• unadorned 
• undeveloped 
• unfulfilled