Finishing

/ˈfɪnɪʃɪŋ/

verbBeginner🔥Very CommonGeneral
3 meanings2 idioms/phrases3 questions

Definitions

3 meanings
1

To complete something; to reach the end of a process or task.

/ˈfɪnɪʃɪŋ/

verbneutralBeginner
General

To bring something to an end

She is finishing her breakfast.

💡 Simply: Think of it like this: when you're done with your homework or a game, you're 'finishing' it! It means the activity is over and complete, just like when you are all done with your ice cream.

👶 For kids: To be done doing something.

More Examples

2

The company is finishing the construction of the building.

3

I'm finishing my book tonight.

How It's Used

General

"He is finishing his homework."

Sports

"The runner was finishing the marathon."

Business

"We are finishing the project this week."

2

To refine or add the final touches to something.

/ˈfɪnɪʃɪŋ/

verbneutralmedium
Arts

To add the final touches

The carpenter is finishing the table with a smooth polish.

💡 Simply: Imagine you’re painting a picture. 'Finishing' it is when you add those last details, like the highlights or shadows, that make it look amazing.

👶 For kids: To make something look the very best.

More Examples

2

She's finishing the cake with some decorative sprinkles.

3

The designer is finishing the website layout.

How It's Used

Arts and Crafts

"He is finishing the painting with a varnish."

Cooking

"She's finishing the dish with a sprinkle of parsley."

Tip:Like adding the frosting on a cake – finishing the job beautifully!
3

The process of completing or refining something.

/ˈfɪnɪʃɪŋ/

nounneutralmedium
Arts

The final process of a task

The finishing of the product is done in the assembly line.

💡 Simply: When you talk about finishing, you're talking about the end. Like when you are putting the last coat of paint on a drawing, you are in the finishing stage.

👶 For kids: The end of something.

More Examples

2

The artist paid great attention to the finishing of the sculpture.

3

The finishing of the race was very exciting.

How It's Used

Manufacturing

"The finishing process involves applying a protective coating."

Sports

"His finishing was impeccable."

Tip:The *finish* is what gives us the final result!

Idioms & expressions

in the finishing straight

Close to completing a task or project.

"We are in the finishing straight of the project, and it's exciting."

finishing touches

The final details needed to complete something and make it perfect.

"The decorator was adding the finishing touches to the room."

From Middle English *finisshen*, from Old French *feniss-*, stem of *fenir* (“to finish”), from Latin *finire* (“to end, finish”).

Historically used to describe the final stages of various processes, from construction to social training.

Memory tip

Imagine crossing a finish line – you’ve finished the race!

Word Origin

LanguageLatin
Original meaning

"to end"

finishing touchesfinishing schoolfinishing linefinishing process

Common misspellings

finishinggfinnishingfininshing

Usage

60%Spoken
40%Written