finish meaning and definition

FINISH noun

Definition of finish (noun)

1. a decorative texture or appearance of a surface (or the substance that gives it that appearance)
   • "the boat had a metallic finish"; "he applied a coat of a clear finish"; "when the finish is too thin it is difficult to apply evenly"
   • synonyms: coating, finishing
2. the temporal end; the concluding time
   • "the stopping point of each round was signaled by a bell"; "the market was up at the finish"; "they were playing better at the close of the season"
   • synonyms: close, conclusion, finale, finis, last, stopping point
3. a highly developed state of perfection; having a flawless or impeccable quality
   • "they performed with great polish"; "I admired the exquisite refinement of his prose"; "almost an inspiration which gives to all work that finish which is almost art"--Joseph Conrad
   • synonyms: cultivation, culture, polish, refinement
4. the place designated as the end (as of a race or journey)
   • "a crowd assembled at the finish"; "he was nearly exhausted as their destination came into view"
   • synonyms: destination, goal
5. designated event that concludes a contest (especially a race)
   • "excitement grew as the finish neared"; "my horse was several lengths behind at the finish"; "the winner is the team with the most points at the finish"
6. the downfall of someone (as of persons on one side of a conflict)
   • "booze will be the finish of him"; "it was a fight to the finish"
7. event whose occurrence ends something
   • "his death marked the ending of an era"; "when these final episodes are broadcast it will be the finish of the show"
   • synonyms: conclusion, ending
   • antonym: beginning
8. (wine tasting) the taste of a wine on the back of the tongue (as it is swallowed)
   • "the wine has a nutty flavor and a pleasant finish"
9. the act of finishing
   • "his best finish in a major tournament was third"; "the speaker's finishing was greeted with applause"
   • synonyms: finishing
   • antonym: beginning

FINISH verb

Definition of finish (verb)

1. come or bring to a finish or an end
   • "He finished the dishes"; "She completed the requirements for her Master's Degree"; "The fastest runner finished the race in just over 2 hours; others finished in over 4 hours"
   • synonyms: complete
2. finally be or do something
   • "He ended up marrying his high school sweetheart"; "he wound up being unemployed and living at home again"
   • synonyms: end up, fetch up, finish up, land up, wind up
3. have an end, in a temporal, spatial, or quantitative sense; either spatial or metaphorical
   • "the bronchioles terminate in a capillary bed"; "Your rights stop where you infringe upon the rights of other"; "My property ends by the bushes"; "The symphony ends in a pianissimo"
   • synonyms: cease, end, stop, terminate
   • antonym: begin
4. provide with a finish
   • "The carpenter finished the table beautifully"; "this shirt is not finished properly"
5. finish eating all the food on one's plate or on the table
   • "She polished off the remaining potatoes"
   • synonyms: eat up, polish off
6. cause to finish a relationship with somebody
   • "That finished me with Mary"