finish

plural finishes

1. An end; the end of anything.

   Noel meets a cruel finish: "Kid," the government lackey who "protects" the clubs in the tourist belt, shoots Noel dead in an alley for stealing Pining out of the brothel.

   1990 August 18, Karin Aguilar-San Juan, “The Boston Lesbian and Gay Film Festival Continues”, in Gay Community News, volume 18, number 6, page 9

2. A protective coating given to wood or metal and other surfaces.

   The car's finish was so shiny and new.

   1 more example

   They're sipping Darjeeling tea, and the silver tea set is polished to a mirror finish so reflective that you can see your likeness.

   2026 May 28, Stacie Stukin, “Historic Opportunity”, in Architectural Digest, volume 83, number 4, page 74

3. The result of any process changing the physical or chemical properties of cloth.
4. A finishing touch; careful elaboration; polish.
5. ball gamesA shot on goal, especially one that ends in a goal.

   However, Colombia broke the deadlock, Leicy Santos toying with Rachel Daly after collecting Caicedo’s pass, before sweeping a dipping effort over a caught-out Mary Earps. It was a luscious finish and the crowd enjoyed it.

   2023 August 12, Suzanne Wrack, “England hit back to beat Colombia and set up World Cup semi with Australia”, in The Guardian

   1 more example

   The Italian opted for Bolton's Cahill alongside captain John Terry - and his decision was rewarded with a goal after only 13 minutes. Bulgaria gave a hint of defensive frailties to come when they failed to clear Young's corner, and when Gareth Barry found Cahill in the box he applied the finish past Nikolay Mihaylov.

   2011 September 2, Phil McNulty, “Bulgaria 0-3 England”, in BBC

6. slanggovernmentThe ending of a match and its structure.
7. combat sportsThe stoppage or conclusion of a bout before the scheduled rounds expire, resulting in an immediate victory via knockout (KO), technical knockout (TKO), or submission.

   Oliveira holds multiple UFC records, notably the most submission wins in the organization's history at 17, most finishes at 21 and most bonuses at 21.

present singular third person finishes · participle present finishing · participle past finished · past finished · first person past singular finished · archaic present second person singular finishest · past second person singular finished · archaic past second person singular finishedst · present singular third person finishes · archaic present singular third person finisheth · past singular third person finished · past plural finished · past subjunctive finished · participle present finishing · participle past finished

1. transitiveTo complete (something).

   Be sure to finish your homework before you go to bed!

   1 more example

   Why doesn't Italy finish their buildings

   2024 May 6, @thepunbible, Twitter, archived from the original on 28 Jun 2024

   Synonyms: see through

2. transitiveTo apply a treatment to (a surface or similar).

   The furniture was finished in teak veneer.

   2 more examples

   Mr. Cooke had had a sloop yacht built at Far Harbor, the completion of which had been delayed, and which was but just delivered. […] The Maria had a cabin, which was finished in hard wood and yellow plush, and accommodations for keeping things cold.

   1897 December (indicated as 1898), Winston Churchill, chapter X, in The Celebrity: An Episode, New York, N.Y.: The Macmillan Company; London: Macmillan & Co., Ltd., →OCLC

   Seats are trimmed in a grey and blue moquette and tables are finished with grey Vyanide tops, gilt edging and ebony legs.

   1961 February, “New "Mini-Buffets" from Wolverton”, in Trains Illustrated, page 79

3. transitiveTo change an animal's food supply in the months before it is due for slaughter, with the intention of fattening the animal.

   Due to BSE, cows in the United Kingdom must be finished and slaughtered before 30 months of age.

4. intransitiveTo come to an end.

   We had to leave before the concert had finished.

5. transitiveTo put an end to; to destroy.

   These rumours could finish your career.

6. intransitivelifestyleTo reach orgasm.

   Fucked my cousin in her asshole Before I finish on her tits

   2016, “Redneck Shit”, performed by Wheeler Walker Jr.

   1 more example

   "Understand the anxiety around sex and what beliefs are triggering it," says Van Kirk."Are you worried you aren't good in bed? That you'll come off as selfish? That pleasuring you will take too long? Reframe that anxiety. Your excitement needs to be louder than any anxiety" to finish.

   2019 June 14, Macaela Mackenzie, Lindsay Geller, “Why Your Orgasm Is MIA—And Exactly What To Do About It”, in Women's Health, archived from the original on 25 Jan 2021

7. combat sportsTo stop an opponent and end a bout prematurely before the scheduled time limit expires, securing an immediate victory via knockout, technical knockout, or submission.