Finish Meaning
/ˈfɪnɪʃ/Definition, CEFR level A1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
nounAn end; the end of anything.
nounA protective coating given to wood or metal and other surfaces.
Sentence Examples
You can finish your essay now.
You yourself have to finish it.
It was a close finish as they had predicted.
CEFR Practice Quiz
You must ____ your homework before you are allowed to go outside and play.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
I need to ____ this report by the end of the day, so I won't be able to join you.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English finishen, finisshen, finischen, from Old French finiss-, stem of some of the conjugated forms of finir, from Latin fīnīre, from fīnis (“end, limit, border, boundary”), possibly from Proto-Indo-European *dʰeygʷ- (“to stick, set up”) or from Proto-Indo-European *bʰeyd- (“to split”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Noel meets a cruel finish: "Kid," the government lackey who "protects" the clubs in the tourist belt, shoots Noel dead in an alley for stealing Pining out of the brothel."
— 1990 August 18, Karin Aguilar-San Juan, “The Boston Lesbian and Gay Film Festival Continues”, in Gay Community News, volume 18, number 6, page 9:
"They're sipping Darjeeling tea, and the silver tea set is polished to a mirror finish so reflective that you can see your likeness."
— 2026 May 26, Stacie Stukin, “Historic Opportunity”, in Architectural Digest, volume 83, number 4, page 74:
"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."
— 2011 September 2, Phil McNulty, “Bulgaria 0-3 England”, in BBC:
"However, Colombia broke the deadlock, Leicy Santos toying with Rachel Daly after collecting Caicedo’s pass, before sweeping a dipping effort over a caught-out Mary Earps. It was a luscious finish and the crowd enjoyed it."
— 2023 August 12, Suzanne Wrack, “England hit back to beat Colombia and set up World Cup semi with Australia”, in The Guardian:
"Why doesn't Italy finish their buildings"
— 2024 May 6, @thepunbible, Twitter, archived from the original on 28 Jun 2024:
Explore More A1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
You must ____ your homework before you are allowed to go outside and play.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
I need to ____ this report by the end of the day, so I won't be able to join you.