# finish

/ˈfɪnɪʃ/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/finish
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 2. to consume all of something

verb · CEFR A2

to eat or drink the last part of something.

For teachers: to consume the entirety of a food or drink item.

- If you finish your vegetables, you can have some chocolate cake.
- He finished the rest of the wine before calling for the bill and heading toward the station.

### 3. the end of a race or event

noun · CEFR A2

the last part of a race or a competition.

For teachers: the final stage or conclusion of a race, competition, or performance.

- It was a very close finish, but the blue car won by a second.
- The marathon saw a dramatic finish as the two lead runners sprinted side-by-side toward the tape in front of a cheering crowd.

### 4. surface appearance

noun · CEFR B2

the way the surface of something looks or feels, like wood or metal.

For teachers: the final treatment or appearance of a surface, often referring to texture, shine, or a protective coating.

- The table has a smooth, shiny finish that makes it easy to clean.
- The architect specified a matte finish for the exterior panels to reduce glare from the afternoon sun.

### 5. a shot on goal

noun · CEFR B2

a kick or hit that tries to score a goal.

For teachers: the final action of an attacking move, specifically a shot intended to score.

- The striker's powerful finish sent the ball into the top corner of the net.
- Despite a brilliant build-up in the midfield, the team lacked a clinical finish and failed to convert their chances into goals.

### 6. wrestling match ending

noun · CEFR C1 · Slang

the planned ending of a professional wrestling match.

For teachers: the choreographed sequence of moves leading to the conclusion of a professional wrestling bout.

- The fans were angry because the finish of the match felt very messy.
- The booker decided on a controversial finish to protect both athletes' reputations ahead of the upcoming pay-per-view event.

Usage: Commonly used within the industry and among dedicated fans.

## Examples

- The runners are approaching the finish now.
- The race had a very close finish, with the top three runners crossing the line at almost the same time.
- While the plot of the novel was engaging, many critics felt the finish was rushed and failed to resolve the central conflict effectively.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.