ENGLISH
REFERENCE

finishing

n.
US //ˈfɪnɪʃɪŋ// UK //fˈɪnɪʃɪŋ// fin·ish·ing
  1. 1 completing a task (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    the act of ending or completing a job or project.

    the act of bringing a task, project, or process to its conclusion.

    Example

    The finishing of the new bridge took much longer than the city expected.

    Example

    The finishing of the manuscript required three months of intensive editing after the initial draft was completed.

    Usage

    often used as a gerund to describe the final stage of a long process.
  2. 2 final decorative work (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    the final details, paint, or polish added to something to make it complete.

    the final treatment or ornamentation applied to a surface or object to provide a specific appearance or protection.

    Example

    The carpenter is busy with the finishing of the wooden cabinets.

    Example

    The high-quality finishing on the mahogany desk gave it a deep, lustrous glow that highlighted the natural grain of the wood.

    Usage

    frequently appears in the phrase 'finishing touches'.
Show 1 more senseShow fewer
  1. 3 scoring ability (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Sport

    the skill of successfully scoring a goal in a sport like football.

    the ability of a player to successfully convert a scoring opportunity into a goal or point.

    Example

    The striker is famous for his excellent finishing in front of the goal.

    Example

    Despite their superior ball possession, the team lost the match due to poor finishing in the final third of the pitch.

© 2026 English Reference