finishing school
Americannoun
noun
Etymology
Origin of finishing school
First recorded in 1830–40
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Many survivors treated in childhood or young adulthood are working toward finishing school, launching careers, gaining independence, or starting families.
From Science Daily ● Mar. 2, 2026
She enrolled at Milan’s Istituto Marangoni, a finishing school for Italian fashion royalty.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 6, 2026
In Year 2, on the other hand, Betts has graduated to something of a finishing school.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 29, 2025
Luke joined the Army straight after finishing school and was 18 when he started the first of three front-line deployments in Helmand Province in 2007.
From BBC ● Feb. 2, 2025
“How kind of you to worry. A governess would be much more expensive. And I haven’t the time to interview governesses. In two days, you shall go to finishing school with Dame Olga’s daughters.”
From "Ella Enchanted" by Gail Carson Levine
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
