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finish
/ˈfɪnɪʃ/
complete or end something
She will finish her homework before dinner.
She will complete her homework before dinner.
general
to bring something to an end; to complete
He finished the book in one sitting.
He completed reading the book in one sitting.
The race finishes at the stadium.
The race concludes at the stadium.
Used for tasks, activities, or events that require effort or time to complete.
general
the end or final part of something
The finish line was crowded with runners.
The final line of the race was crowded with runners.
She added a glossy finish to the table.
She applied a glossy coating to the table.
As a noun, it can refer to the end of a race or a surface treatment.
Collocations
finish upcomplete the remaining partfinish offcomplete something completelyfinish linethe end point of a racepolished finisha smooth, shiny surface
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Avoid confusion with 'finish' vs 'complete'
'Finish' often implies an end after effort, while 'complete' can imply wholeness or fullness without necessarily implying effort (e.g., 'complete the set').
Gold Rule
Use 'finish' for processes or activities
Use 'finish' when referring to the end of a task, race, or activity that requires time or effort.
Use 'finish' as a noun for the end point
As a noun, 'finish' can refer to the end of a race (e.g., 'the finish line') or a surface treatment (e.g., 'a matte finish').
Word Origin
From Old English 'finnan' (to find, discover), later influenced by Old French 'finir' (to end), both from Latin 'finire' (to limit, end), from 'finis' (end).
Usage Notes
As a verb, 'finish' often implies completion after effort or time. As a noun, it can refer to the end of a process or a surface treatment.
Word Breakdown
fin-
end, limit
root-ish
verb suffix indicating action
suffixEnglish Dictionary