finish
B1Neutral; common in all registers.
Definition
Meaning
To complete or reach the end of an action, task, or process.
Can refer to the final stage of something, the decorative surface or coating applied to an object, or to defeat/consume someone/something completely.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a verb, but can also be a noun referring to the end of something or the surface quality of a product. The sense of 'to defeat utterly' is more informal/slang.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minor. In the UK, 'finish up' is slightly more common for consuming food/drink ("Finish up your tea"). In the US, 'finish off' is more common for this sense and for defeating someone. Noun use for 'coating' (e.g., furniture finish) is identical.
Connotations
Largely identical. In sports contexts (UK), "finish" as a noun often refers to a goal or final scoring move ("a clinical finish").
Frequency
Extremely high frequency in both varieties with no significant disparity.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] finish [Object] (He finished the race)[Subject] finish [Verb-ing] (She finished reading)[Subject] finish with [Object] (Are you finished with the scissors?)[Subject] finish [Adverb/Prepositional Phrase] (He finished second/at 5pm)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “finish off”
- “finish up”
- “finish with a flourish”
- “a photo finish”
- “in at the finish”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Deadlines are critical: 'We must finish the report by EOD.' Also, 'product finish' refers to quality of manufacture.
Academic
Used for completing studies ('finish a degree') or a piece of research. Often formal: 'The study finishes with a discussion of implications.'
Everyday
Most common: finishing meals, tasks, work, TV shows, races, etc.
Technical
In manufacturing/design: the surface texture or coating of a material (e.g., 'anodised finish'). In sports: the final part of a race or a scoring move.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- You must finish your vegetables.
- Let's finish up and head to the pub.
- He finished the marathon in just over three hours.
American English
- Finish your homework before you go out.
- She finished off the last of the pizza.
- They finished the project ahead of schedule.
adverb
British English
- (Rare as a standalone adverb; typically 'finished' as adjective or part of phrasal verbs).
American English
- (Rare as a standalone adverb; typically 'finished' as adjective or part of phrasal verbs).
adjective
British English
- The finished product looked superb.
- Are you finished with the newspaper?
- A finished performance by the orchestra.
American English
- The finished basement adds value to the house.
- I'm finished with that chapter.
- His manners were very finished.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I finish work at 5 o'clock.
- Did you finish your sandwich?
- The film finishes late.
- He finished writing the email and clicked 'send'.
- They want to finish the decorating this weekend.
- It was a close finish in the race.
- The negotiations finished with a mutually agreeable deal.
- The table has a beautiful polished finish.
- After a gruelling campaign, she finished off her opponent in the final debate.
- The cabinetmaker applied a hand-rubbed oil finish to the mahogany.
- The novel's plot finishes on an ambivalent note, leaving readers to draw their own conclusions.
- Having finished with formalities, the chairperson called for a vote.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a FISH at the end (FIN) of a race line – the FIN-ISH line.
Conceptual Metaphor
JOURNEY (Reaching a destination), CONTAINER (Using up all contents), CONSTRUCTION (Applying final layer).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation of 'finish school' as 'finish' implies completion of the entire institution, not just a class session. Use 'the lesson ends at 3 pm'.
- Confusion with 'finish' (end) and 'finish' (surface coating). Russian often uses different roots (кончать vs. отделка).
- The phrase 'finish with someone' (break up a relationship) is a false friend with Russian 'закончить с кем-то'.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'I finished to read the book.' Correct: 'I finished reading the book.'
- Incorrect: 'I am finish.' Correct: 'I am finished.' or 'I have finished.'
- Overusing 'finish' where 'end' is more natural for events (e.g., 'The movie ended,' not 'The movie finished').
Practice
Quiz
In the context of furniture, what does 'finish' most likely refer to?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Finish' implies completing an activity or task that has a goal. 'End' is more general, meaning to stop or cease, and is used for events, periods, or processes without an inherent goal (e.g., a movie ends, a road ends).
Yes, it is grammatically correct and common in both British and American English. It is a predicate adjective construction, synonymous with 'I have finished.' Some traditionalists prefer 'I have finished,' but 'I am finished' is widely accepted.
No, it cannot. 'Finish' must be followed by a noun or a gerund (-ing form). Incorrect: 'I finished to eat.' Correct: 'I finished eating' or 'I finished my meal.'
It has two main meanings: 1) To kill or decisively defeat someone (often figurative). 2) To consume the last part of something (e.g., 'Finish off the cake'). The context determines the meaning.
Collections
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Daily Routine
A1 · 50 words · Words for describing your everyday activities and schedule.