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

“Because the state is young and its cities and institutions are not bound by the weight of tradition,” he wrote in 2002, “like an unfinished canvas, Arizona still epitomizes the frontier.”

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However, Whitlock says his career felt "unfinished" after missing out on a place on the podium in the French capital.

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Now the letter sent to schools this week says some suppliers may not have been paid and unfinished works not "fully and satisfactorily completed".

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Australia undoubtedly have the edge when it comes to spin bowling, and Nathan Lyon has unfinished business after limping out of the 2023 series.

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Miss Mortimer rose abruptly, leaving her tea and her puzzle unfinished.

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Related Words

• bare 
• incomplete 
• unadorned 
• undeveloped 
• unfulfilled