finish
3 ENTRIES FOUND:
finishes;
finished;
finishing
finishes;
finished;
finishing
Britannica Dictionary definition of FINISH
1
a
:
to reach the end of (something)
:
to stop doing (something) because it is completed
—
compare finished 1a
[+ object]
-
He finished (giving) his speech and sat down.
-
He hasn't finished his work yet. = He hasn't finished working yet.
-
You can't watch TV until you finish your homework.
[no object]
-
He started his homework two hours ago and he still hasn't finished.
-
I'll wait here until you finish. = I'll wait here until you have finished.
b
:
to be done with building or creating (something)
—
compare finished 1b
[+ object]
-
They hope to finish their new home by winter.
[no object]
-
They're building a new home and they hope to finish by winter.
c
:
to cause something to end or stop
:
to reach the end of something
[+ object]
-
The chairman finished the meeting at noon.
[no object]
-
The meeting finished [=ended] at noon.
-
The meeting finished on a positive note.
2
[+ object]
a
:
to cause the ruin or failure of (someone or something)
—
compare finished 2b
-
These allegations could finish his career as a politician. = These allegations could finish him as a politician.
b
:
to kill (someone or something already wounded)
— usually + off
-
The crowd in the arena shouted for the gladiator to finish off his opponent.
c
:
to defeat or exhaust (someone) completely
— usually + off
-
Climbing so many stairs just about finished me off.
3
[+ object]
:
to use, eat, or drink all that is left of (something)
-
They finished (off/up) the pie before I got a chance to have a slice.
-
I've had enough wine. You can finish (off) the rest of the bottle.
4
:
to end a race, competition, etc., in a specified position or manner
[no object]
-
The horse I bet on finished third.
-
The horse finished in third place.
-
Our team started poorly but finished well.
[+ object]
-
The horse I bet on finished the race in third place.
-
Our team finished the season in first place.
5
[+ object]
:
to put a final coat or surface on (something)
-
He finished the table with varnish.
finishing touch
:
one of the last things done to make something complete
— usually plural
-
They're putting the finishing touches on their new home.
-
He's putting the finishing touches on his latest novel.
finish with
[phrasal verb]
1
finish with (something)
:
to have no further need for (something)
:
to stop using (something)
-
Could I see the newspaper when you finish with it?
2
finish with (someone)
:
to stop being involved with (someone)
:
to end a romantic relationship with (someone)
—
compare finished 2a
-
She and her boyfriend had another fight, and now she says she's going to finish with him once and for all.
3
finish with (someone or something)
:
to stop dealing with, working on, or punishing (someone or something)
—
see also finished
-
When I finish with him he'll be sorry!
-
I haven't finished with you yet!
2
finish
/ˈfɪnɪʃ/
noun
plural
finishes
2
finish
/ˈfɪnɪʃ/
noun
plural
finishes
Britannica Dictionary definition of FINISH
1
[singular]
:
the last part of something
:
end,
conclusion
—
see also photo finish
-
a suspense film with a perfect surprise finish
-
The race was close from start to finish. [=from the beginning to the end]
-
The race had a close/tight finish. [=the winner of the race won by a very small amount]
-
It was a fight to the finish. [=the fight went on until one side was completely defeated]
2
[count]
:
the final coating on a surface or the appearance produced by such a coating
-
The table had a shiny finish.
-
I need to put one more coat of finish on the chair.
