Finish

Pronunciation

• enPR: fÄ­n'Ä­sh, IPA: /ˈfɪnɪʃ/
• Homophones: Finnish

Origin

From Old French finiss-, stem of some of the conjugated forms of finir, from Latin fīnīre, present active infinitive of fīniō.

Full definition of finish

Noun

1. an end: the end of anything
2. a protective coating given to wood or metal and other surfaces
   The car's finish was so shiny and new.
3. the result of any process changing the physical or chemical properties of cloth
4. (sports) a shot on goal, especially one that ends in a goal
• 2011, September 2, Phil McNulty, Bulgaria 0-3 England, The Italian opted for Bolton's Cahill alongside captain John Terry - and his decision was rewarded with a goal after only 13 minutes. Bulgaria gave a hint of defensive frailties to come when they failed to clear Young's corner, and when Gareth Barry found Cahill in the box he applied the finish past Nikolay Mihaylov.

Verb

1. (transitive) to complete (something)
   Please finish your homework!
2. (transitive) to apply a treatment to a surface or similar
   The furniture was finished in teak veneer.
• 1898, Winston Churchill, The Celebrity Chapter 10, Mr. Cooke had had a sloop yacht built at Far Harbor, the completion of which had been delayed, and which was but just delivered. … The Maria had a cabin, which was finished in hard wood and yellow plush, and accommodations for keeping things cold.
3. (transitive) to change an animal's food supply in the months before it is due for slaughter, with the intention of fattening the animal
   Due to BSE, cows in the United Kingdom must be finished and slaughtered before 30 months of age.
4. (intransitive) to come to an end
   The song has finished.

Usage notes

(transitive, to complete) This is a catenative verb that takes the gerund (the -ing form). See

Derived terms

• nice guys finish last

Related terms

• finish line
• finishing school