English Reference
noun

finishing

n.
US /ˈfɪnɪʃɪŋ/ UK /fˈɪnɪʃɪŋ/ fin·ish·ing

  1. 01 B1 Intermediate

    the act of ending or completing a job or project.

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

    Simple

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

    In context

    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.

    completionconclusionfinalisation
  2. 02 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.

    Simple

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

    In context

    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'.

  3. 03 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.

    Simple

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

    In context

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

She represented the UK in the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo, Sweden, with the song Believe In Me, finishing in 19th place.

BreakingNews.ie· 15 Aug 2026

I hope one day I will have my own school.” For Azhari, finishing his degree is also about giving back, putting his engineering skills to work rebuilding the communities the war has damaged.

UN News· 9 Aug 2026
This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Common
Updated