finite: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal / Technical
Quick answer
What does “finite” mean?
Having limits or bounds.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Having limits or bounds; not infinite.
Subject to limitations in size, quantity, or scope. Also used in grammar to describe verb forms limited by person, number, and tense.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. The spelling and pronunciation are consistent.
Connotations
Identical connotations of limitation, constraint, and definiteness in both varieties.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in academic and technical contexts in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “finite” in a Sentence
BE ~~ + nounremain ~Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “finite” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The universe may not be finite.
- We used a finite element model for the analysis.
American English
- Their resources are strictly finite.
- The game has a finite number of possible moves.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
We have a finite budget for this project, so spending must be carefully controlled.
Academic
The study analysed a finite set of variables to determine causality.
Everyday
Our patience is finite, so please try to be on time.
Technical
A finite-state automaton is a model of computation with a limited number of states.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “finite”
- Using 'finite' to mean 'small' (it means limited, not necessarily small).
- Confusing 'finite' with 'definite' (definite means certain, finite means limited).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The direct and most common opposite is 'infinite'.
No, while common in technical fields, it is also used in everyday language to discuss limited resources, time, or patience.
Very rarely. It is almost exclusively an adjective in modern English.
In grammar, a finite verb is a verb form that shows tense, person, and number (e.g., 'He walks', 'They walked'), as opposed to non-finite forms like infinitives ('to walk') or participles ('walking').
Having limits or bounds.
Finite is usually formal / technical in register.
Finite: in British English it is pronounced /ˈfaɪnaɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈfaɪnaɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The world's resources are finite.”
- “We must work within finite constraints.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
FINITE ends with 'nite' (night). Think: "Even the longest night is FINITE—it ends at dawn."
Conceptual Metaphor
RESOURCES AS A CONTAINER (The container has finite capacity.)
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'finite' used INCORRECTLY?