finish

(noun, verb)

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

Similar word(s): coating, finishing

Definition categories: attribute, decorativeness

2. the temporal end; the concluding time

- the market was up at the finish

Similar word(s): close, conclusion, finale, finis, last

Definition categories: time, end, ending

3. a highly developed state of perfection; having a flawless or impeccable quality

- almost an inspiration which gives to all work that finish which is almost art

Similar word(s): cultivation, culture, polish, refinement

Definition categories: state, flawlessness, perfection

4. the place designated as the end (as of a race or journey)

- a crowd assembled at the finish

Similar word(s): destination, goal

Definition categories: location, end, terminal

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

Definition categories: event, happening, occurrence, occurrent

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

Definition categories: event, downfall, ruin, ruination

7. event whose occurrence ends something

- when these final episodes are broadcast it will be the finish of the show

Similar word(s): conclusion, ending

Definition categories: event, happening, occurrence, occurrent

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

Definition categories: thought, taste

9. the act of finishing

- his best finish in a major tournament was third

- the speaker's finishing was greeted with applause

Similar word(s): finishing

Definition categories: act, closing, completion, culmination, windup

Sentences with finish as a noun:

- The car's finish was so shiny and new.

verb

1. come or bring to a finish or an end

- He finished the dishes

- The fastest runner finished the race in just over 2 hours; others finished in over 4 hours

Similar word(s): complete

Definition categories: change, end, terminate

2. finally be or do something

Definition categories: change, act, move

3. have an end, in a temporal, spatial, or quantitative sense; either spatial or metaphorical

Similar word(s): cease, end, stop, terminate

Definition categories: stative

4. provide with a finish

- The carpenter finished the table beautifully

- this shirt is not finished properly

Definition categories: contact, coat, surface

5. finish eating all the food on one's plate or on the table

Definition categories: consumption, eat

6. cause to finish a relationship with somebody

- That finished me with Mary

Definition categories: change, end, terminate

Sentences with finish as a verb:

- Please finish your homework!

- The furniture was finished in teak veneer.

- Due to BSE, cows in the United Kingdom must be finished and slaughtered before 30 months of age.

- The song has finished.