finish
gb/fˈɪnɪʃ/ us/fˈɪnɪʃ/
A2
English
~ 900
Senses
0 senses
Verb
A2
action
1
To bring something to an end
To complete something you are doing.
Usage pattern:
to finish [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'finish' with 'end' when referring to stopping something before it is complete; 'finish' usually implies completion.
Synonyms
complete (Slightly more formal and can imply fulfilling all requirements.)
Antonyms
start (Opposite in time sequence; refers to beginning rather than ending.)
Collocations
finish work
|finish a project
|finish homework
|finish eating
|finish a race
Themes
daily life
|work
|education
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- I need to finish this report before the meeting.
- She finished her meal and left the restaurant.
- We finally finished painting the house after three days.
- He finished the game with a perfect score.
Learner examples
- I finish my homework at 7 p.m.
- They finish school in June.
- Please finish your lunch.
- We finish the movie at 9.
Verb
A2
action
2
To use or eat all of something
To eat, drink, or use all of something.
Usage pattern:
to finish [food/drink/item]
Synonyms
consume (More formal and can refer broadly to using resources.)
Antonyms
leave (To not consume or use all of something.)
Collocations
finish dinner
|finish the cake
|finish the bottle
Themes
daily life
|food
|daily_life
|food_drink
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- He finished the pizza in just ten minutes.
- Please finish your tea before we leave.
- They finished the last of the cookies.
Learner examples
- I finish my coffee.
- She finishes the sandwich.
- We finish the water.
Noun
A2
entity
3
End point of a race or process
The end of a race, competition, or other event.
Synonyms
ending (General term for conclusion; not specific to races.)
Antonyms
start (The beginning point of a race or process.)
Collocations
photo finish
|finish line
|strong finish
Themes
sports
|events
|time
|space
Examples
- She crossed the finish line first.
- It was a close finish between the top two runners.
- The film had a dramatic finish.
Learner examples
- He runs to the finish line.
- We see the finish of the race.
- The finish is near.
Noun
B1
property
4
Surface texture or appearance of material
The way the surface of something looks or feels after it is made.
Synonyms
coating (Refers specifically to a layer applied on top.)
Antonyms
roughness (The opposite surface quality; uneven texture.)
Collocations
matte finish
|glossy finish
|smooth finish
Themes
design
|manufacturing
|technology
|arts_entertainment
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The table has a smooth, polished finish.
- This paint gives a matte finish to walls.
- The car's metallic finish gleamed in the sun.
Learner examples
- The wood has a shiny finish.
- I like the smooth finish.
- The dress has a soft finish.
Grammar
Dictionary form
finish
IPA
GB/fˈɪnɪʃ/
US/fˈɪnɪʃ/
Syllables & stress
fin - ish (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (fin)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: finish
- Plural: finish, finishes
Verb
- Base: finish
- 3rd Person Singular: finishes
- Present Participle: finishing
- Past: finished
Word family
Forms
finishes
noun
finishing
verb
finished
verb
Related words
finisher
noun
Negative and opposite forms
unfinished
adjective A2
Expressions
finish off
1/fˈɪnɪʃ ˈɔf/
phrasal verb
Complete remaining part or defeat fully
To do the last part of something, or to defeat someone completely.
Examples
- Let's finish off this cake before it goes bad.
- The team finished off their opponents in the final quarter.
finish up
1/fˈɪnɪʃ ˈʌp/
phrasal verb
Complete something fully or finally
To do the last part of something so it is complete.
Examples
- Let's finish up this project before lunch.
- She finished up her presentation with a summary.
to the finish line
1/tə ðə fˈɪnɪʃ lˈaɪn/
fixed phrase
Continue until reaching the end point
To keep going until you reach the end of a race or task.
Examples
- She pushed herself to the finish line despite being tired.
- We worked hard to the finish line on this project.
photo finish
1/fˈoʊtoʊ fˈɪnɪʃ/
fixed phrase
Race result decided by photo
When the end of a race is so close that the winner is decided by looking at a photograph taken at the finish line.
Examples
- It was such a close race that it came down to a photo finish.
- It was a photo finish at the horse race.
- The horse won by a nose in a thrilling photo finish.
- The marathon ended in a photo finish between two runners.