finished
/ˈfɪnɪʃt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈfɪnɪʃt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈfi-nisht/ (ame, mw)
finished — adjective
- finishedpositive
- more finishedcomparative
- most finishedsuperlative
1. no longer needing to be worked on because all the work is done; or so much of so
no longer needing to be worked on because all the work is done; or so much of something has been used that there is none left.
Putri checked the painting one last time and decided it was finished.
be finished — work is complete
The finished bridge opened to traffic three months ahead of schedule.
the finished + noun — attributive use
By the time dinner was over, the cake was completely finished.
Zayd sent the finished report to his boss on Friday afternoon.
The milk in the fridge is finished — someone drank the last drop.
- unfinished
not yet completed
- incomplete
parts are still missing
文法句型
be finished (with noun)
the finished + noun
用法筆記
When talking about things that have been used up (no milk, no petrol, no time), this sense is predicative only — you say 'the milk is finished', not 'the finished milk'. For completed work, both positions work: 'the finished painting' and 'the painting is finished' are both natural.
常見錯誤
2. no longer doing or dealing with a particular task, activity, or person because y
no longer doing or dealing with a particular task, activity, or person because you have completed it or stopped using it.
Are you finished with the scissors? I need to cut some paper.
finished with + object — asking to borrow
Kasia was finished cleaning the kitchen at half past nine.
was finished + -ing verb — predicative adjective
Once the teacher is finished explaining the rules, you may start the game.
Eve was finished with her degree after four years of study.
I'm nearly finished sorting the boxes for the move tomorrow.
- started
the beginning of a task
- in the middle of
still working on it
文法句型
be finished (with noun/-ing)
be finished + -ing verb
用法筆記
This sense is always predicative — you cannot say 'a finished person' to mean someone who has completed a task. The preposition 'with' is optional when the object is clear from context: 'I'm finished.' vs 'I'm finished with the laundry.'
常見錯誤
3. no longer able to continue or succeed in a particular area of life, usually afte
no longer able to continue or succeed in a particular area of life, usually after a failure or because of a serious problem.
After the scandal, the politician was finished in public life.
be finished in + domain — ruined career
If we lose this match, our season is finished — we cannot reach the finals.
be finished — hopes are over
When the bank said no to the loan, the small bakery was finished.
Adisa knew he was finished as a professional runner after the knee injury.
Padma told her business partner that their company would be finished without more investors.
- successful
achieving what you aimed for
- thriving
doing well and growing
文法句型
be finished (in/as + noun phrase)
用法筆記
Used only predicatively (you cannot say 'a finished politician' with this meaning). Common with 'in', 'as', or without any preposition. The tone is dramatic — it suggests something has reached a definite and hopeless end.
常見錯誤
4. already covered with a last layer of paint, wax, or varnish that makes the surfa
already covered with a last layer of paint, wax, or varnish that makes the surface ready to display or sell.
The table arrived with a beautiful hand-rubbed finished surface.
finished surface — coating or treatment applied
This floor is made of pre-finished oak boards that need no sanding.
pre-finished — treated before installation
The carpenter sanded the wood three times before applying the finished coat.
Yael inspected the finished matte surface on the studio walls.
Finished goods are stored in the warehouse before being shipped to stores.
- raw
in its natural, untreated state
- unfinished
not yet treated
文法句型
finished + noun (surface/wood/product)
用法筆記
Almost always attributive (before the noun) in this sense. 'Finished goods', 'finished product', and 'finished surface' are fixed collocations common in manufacturing. Do not confuse with sense 1 — 'finished product' here means the product has had its surface treatment, not just that it is complete.
5. brought to the highest possible level of quality or skill, so that nothing more
brought to the highest possible level of quality or skill, so that nothing more can be improved.
The pianist gave a finished performance that moved the audience to tears.
finished performance — of the highest quality
Cole ran his hand over the finished craftsmanship of the antique cabinet, admiring the smooth surface.
At the concert, the audience could hear the finished quality of every note the soprano sang.
Obi spent years studying under a master to develop a finished technique.
Critics called the novel a finished work of literary art.
- polished
common in everyday contexts; suggests smoothness and refinement
- refined
focuses on subtle improvement and elegance
- consummate
very formal; suggests perfect skill in every detail
- rough
not polished or refined
- amateurish
lacking the skill of a professional
文法句型
finished + noun (performance/work/skill)
用法筆記
Formal register — this sense is found in art criticism, reviews, and formal praise. It is always attributive ('a finished performance', 'finished craftsmanship'). In everyday English, 'polished' or 'refined' are more common alternatives.