finite

American  

[fahy-nahyt] / ˈfaɪ naɪt /

adjective

1. having bounds or limits; not infinite; measurable.

   Synonyms:

   restricted, limited, bounded

2. Mathematics.

   1. (of a set of elements) capable of being completely counted.

   2. not infinite or infinitesimal.

   3. not zero.

3. subject to limitations or conditions, as of space, time, circumstances, or the laws of nature.

   our finite existence on earth.

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noun

1. something that is finite.

finite British  

/ ˈfaɪnaɪt /

adjective

1. bounded in magnitude or spatial or temporal extent

   a finite difference

2. maths logic having a number of elements that is a natural number; able to be counted using the natural numbers less than some natural number Compare denumerable infinite

3. 1. limited or restricted in nature

      human existence is finite

   2. ( as noun )

      the finite

4. denoting any form or occurrence of a verb inflected for grammatical features such as person, number, and tense

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finite Scientific  

/ fī′nīt′ /

1. Relating to a set that cannot be put into a one-to-one correspondence with any proper subset of its own members.

2. Relating to or being a numerical quantity describing the size of such a set.

3. Being a member of the set of real or complex numbers.

4. Being a quantity that is non-zero and not infinite.

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Other Word Forms

• finitely adverb
• finiteness noun
• nonfinite adjective
• nonfinitely adverb
• nonfiniteness noun
• superfinite adjective
• superfinitely adverb
• superfiniteness noun
• unfinite adjective

Etymology

Origin of finite

1375–1425; late Middle English < Latin fīnītus, past participle of fīnīre to stop, limit. See fine ¹, -ite ²

Explanation

Calling something finite means it has an end or finishing point. Preparing for a standardized test might be unpleasant, but you have to remember that the work is finite; you won't be doing it forever. Most people are far more familiar with the word finite when they see it inside the word infinite, or without end. Finite can be used for conceptual things, like time: "Life is finite, so we should live it to the fullest." It can also be used for more tangible things: "We have to be careful with the cooking, we only have a finite amount of fuel." You might want to think of things being finito — a word that looks a lot like finite — to remember that it means, "with an end."

Example Sentences

Wireless spectrum—the frequencies that wireless calls and data travel over—is a finite resource that every data provider needs.

From Barron's • Apr. 15, 2026

As for sustainability, consultants are finite - and tiring of strike action.

From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026

That space between the infinite and the inevitably finite bookends “My Dear You.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2026

Human auditors, for years, pulled a finite sample of these items, extracted the data into an Excel spreadsheet, applied auditing guidelines, and marked whether the items passed or failed.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

I’d like to emphasize that this idea that time and space should be finite “without boundary” is just a proposal: it cannot be deduced from some other principle.

From "A Brief History of Time: And Other Essays" by Stephen Hawking

Related Words

• definite
• fixed
• limited
• restricted