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Finish Very Common

Finish has 17 different meanings across 2 categories:

Noun · Verb

Definitions
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"

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"

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"

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"

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"

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"

10

An end; the end of anything.

"The finish line was just ahead as the runners crossed it in a blur of motion."

In plain English: A finish is the final result or outcome of something after all the work is done.

"The finish line marked the end of the race."

Usage: Use "finish" as a noun to refer to the final part or conclusion of an event, task, or object, such as the finish line of a race or the finishing coat on wood. Do not use it to mean the state of being completed; instead, use "completion" for that abstract concept.

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"

2

finally be or do something

"He ended up marrying his high school sweetheart"

"he wound up being unemployed and living at home again"

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"

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"

6

cause to finish a relationship with somebody

"That finished me with Mary"

7

To complete (something).

"She managed to finish the marathon before sunset despite her exhaustion."

In plain English: To finish something means to complete it so that there is nothing left to do.

"I need to finish my homework before dinner."

Usage: Use finish to mean bringing an activity or task to a successful conclusion, such as finishing a meal or completing a project. It implies that nothing remains to be done for that specific purpose.

Example Sentences
"The finish line marked the end of the race." noun
"The finish of that rug looks very soft to the touch." noun
"We need to wait for the official race finish before celebrating." noun
"His final words were just a brief remark at the end of his speech." noun
"I need to finish my homework before dinner." verb
Related Terms
Antonyms
beginning commencement start
Broader Terms (hypernyms)
decorativeness end perfection happening downfall taste completion act coat eat
Narrower Terms (hyponyms)
glaze shoeshine finishing line draw photo finish second-place finish third-place finish end result foregone conclusion destruction omega stop victory defeat finale close top get through see through round out follow through carry through pass away lapse cut out go out adjourn vanish culminate run out run low conclude turn out discontinue break dress broom tuck in devour

Origin

The word "finish" comes from the Old French finir and ultimately from the Latin fīnis, meaning "end" or "limit." It entered English in the Middle English period to describe bringing something to a conclusion.

Rhyming Words
ish hish lish tish mish eish rish nish dish bish pish fish kish aish wish gish irish ajish ilish swish
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