to bring (something) to an end or to completion; complete

to finish a novel; to finish breakfast.

to come to the end of (a course, period of time, etc.)

to finish school.

to use completely (often fol. by up or off )

to finish up a can of paint; to finish off the rest of the milk.

to overcome completely; destroy or kill (often fol. by off )

This spray will finish off the cockroaches.

to complete and perfect in detail; put the final touches on (sometimes fol. by up )

He decided to finish his plan more carefully. She finished up a painting.

to put a finish on (wood, metal, etc.)

We finished the desk in antique red lacquer.

to perfect (a person) in education, accomplishments, social graces, etc.

to ready (livestock) for market by feeding a diet calculated to produce the desired weight.

to come to an end

The course finishes in January.

to complete a course, project, etc. (sometimes fol. by up )

I finished before he did. It was nine o'clock when we finished up.

(of livestock) to become fattened for market.

the end or conclusion; the final part or last stage.

the end of a hunt, race, etc.

a close finish.

a decisive ending

a fight to the finish.

the quality of being finished or completed with smoothness, elegance, etc.

to admire the finish of one's writing.

educational or social polish.

the manner in which an object is perfected or finished in its preparation, or an effect imparted in finishing.

the surface coating or texture of wood, metal, etc.

something used or serving to finish, complete, or perfect a thing.

woodwork or the like, esp. in the interior of a building, not essential to the structure but used for purposes of ornament, neatness, etc.

a finish of black walnut.

Also called finish coat, finishing coat. a final coat of plaster or paint.

a material for application in finishing.

Animal Husbandry . the fat tissue of livestock.

the flavor remaining in the mouth after a wine has been swallowed. ?

finish with,

to bring to completion

She's finished with her latest novel.

to put aside, break all relations with, or reject finally

He's finished with football and will play only baseball now. After the way they treated us, we're finished with them.

noun

beginning , commencement , initiation , introduction , start

verb

begin , commence , initiate , introduce , start , keep , maintain , save , store , bear , create

noun

accomplishment , achievement , acquirement , acquisition , annihilation , attainment , cease , cessation , close , closing , culmination , curtain * , curtains * , death , defeat , denouement , desistance , end , ending , end of the line , end of the road , finale , finis , last , last stage , ruin , stop , termination , terminus , winding-up , wind-up , wrap , wrap-up , appearance , beauty , burnish , cultivation , culture , elaboration , glaze , grace , grain , lacquer , luster , patina , perfection , polish , refinement , shine , smoothness , surface , texture , veneer , closure , completion , conclusion , consummation , period , stopping point , terminus ad quem

verb

accomplish , achieve , bag it , break up , bring to a close , carry through , cease , clinch , close , complete , conclude , crown * , culminate , deal with , determine , discharge , do , effect , end , execute , finalize , fold , fulfill , get out of the way , halt , hang it up , have done with , make , make short work of , mop up , perfect , put finishing touches on , round off * , round up * , scratch , scrub , settle , sew up , shut down , shutter , stop , terminate , top off * , ultimate , wind up * , wrap , wrap up * , deplete , devour , dispatch , dispose of , drain , drink , eat , empty , exhaust , expend , go , run through * , spend , use , wash up * , annihilate , assassinate , best * , bring down * , carry off * , destroy , do in * , down , exterminate , get rid of * , liquidate , overcome , overpower , put an end to , put away * , rout , rub out * , ruin , slaughter , slay , take off * , take out * , vaporize , worst * , coat , develop , elaborate , face , gild , lacquer , polish , refine , smooth , stain , texture , veneer , wax , come in , place , consummate , wind up , wrap up , consume , draw down , eat up , play out , run through , use up , carry off , cut down , cut off , kill , bankrupt , break down , cross up , demolish , shatter , sink , smash , spoil , torpedo , undo , wash up , wrack , wreck , coating , completion , conclusion , defeat , die , dispose , finis , glaze , limit , perfection , surface , windup