# finite

/ˈfaɪˌnaɪt/ (US) · /fˈaɪnaɪt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/finite
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. limited in size or time

adjective · CEFR B2 · Academic

having a definite limit or end; not infinite.

For teachers: having fixed boundaries or a limited nature; constrained by specific bounds in space, time, or quantity.

- The world has a finite amount of oil, so we must find new energy sources.
- Economists often remind us that we live in a world of finite resources, necessitating difficult choices regarding consumption and sustainability.

Usage: Often used to describe resources, time, or physical space.

### 2. verb forms with tense

adjective · CEFR C1 · Technical · Academic

a verb form that shows a specific time (tense) and matches the person doing the action.

For teachers: describing a verb form that is limited by person, number, and tense, allowing it to serve as the main verb of a clause.

- In the sentence 'He eats apples', the word 'eats' is a finite verb.
- The student struggled to distinguish between finite verbs and participles when identifying the main predicate of complex sentences.

Usage: Used specifically in grammatical analysis to contrast with infinitives and participles.

Teaching tip: While 'finite' is a general B2 word, this grammatical sense is C1/Technical; learners should focus on the 'limited' meaning first.

## Examples

- The world has a finite amount of oil.
- We only have a finite amount of time to finish this project before the deadline.
- While the human imagination may seem boundless, the physical resources required to manifest its creations are strictly finite and subject to the laws of thermodynamics.

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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.