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

That carve-out has sparked a rush of corporate restructuring, according to Matt Wyckhouse, chief executive of cybersecurity firm Finite State.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 6, 2026

A Finite Element analysis helped the team determine the advantages and disadvantages of the mandible and tusk structure between each group.

From Science Daily • Nov. 28, 2023

To correct for the impact of this, the Finite Correction Factor can be used to adjust the variance of the sampling distribution.

From Textbooks • Nov. 29, 2017

Finite Automata also have the parameter "space complexity" which basically addresses the notion that evolution can move "fast or slow" depending on how many mutations occur at each "step".

From New York Times • Dec. 12, 2016

So the Finite points to the Infinite, the Fleeting to the Permanent, the Sensible to the Supersensible, Eidothea to Proteus, who is the First One, or the First Principle underlying all Appearance, hence her father.

From Homer's Odyssey A Commentary by Snider, Denton Jaques

Related Words

• definite
• fixed
• limited
• restricted