# finishing

/ˈfɪnɪʃɪŋ/ (US) · /fˈɪnɪʃɪŋ/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. completing a task

noun · CEFR B1

the act of ending or completing a job or project.

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

- The finishing of the new bridge took much longer than the city expected.
- 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. final decorative work

noun · CEFR B2

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

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

- The carpenter is busy with the finishing of the wooden cabinets.
- 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. scoring ability

noun · CEFR B2

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

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

- The striker is famous for his excellent finishing in front of the goal.
- Despite their superior ball possession, the team lost the match due to poor finishing in the final third of the pitch.

## Examples

- The carpenter is busy with the finishing of the table.
- High-quality finishing on the interior walls can significantly increase the market value of a new apartment.
- While the structural integrity of the building was never in doubt, the poor finishing on the exterior cladding led to several complaints from the architectural review board.

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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.