fin·ish / ˈfinish/ • v. [tr.] 1. bring (a task or activity) to an end; complete: finished the job [intr.] the musician finished to thunderous applause. ∎  consume or get through the final amount or portion of (something, esp. food or drink): Jerry finished off a margarita. ∎  [intr.] (of an activity) come to an end: the war has finished but nothing has changed. ∎  [intr.] (finish with) have no more need for or nothing more to do with: “I've finished with Tom,” Gloria said. ∎  reach the end of a race or other sporting competition, typically in a particular position: she finished third in the 3-meter springboard diving. 2. (usu. be finished) complete the manufacture or decoration of (a material, object, or place) by giving it an attractive surface appearance: the interior was finished with V-jointed American oak.• n. 1. an end or final part or stage of something: I really enjoyed the film from start to finish. ∎  a point or place at which a race or competition ends: he surged into a winning lead 200 meters from the finish.2. the manner in which the manufacture of an article is completed in detail: wide variation in specification and finish. ∎  the surface appearance of a manufactured material or object, or the material used to produce this: lightweight nylon with a shiny finish.PHRASAL VERBS: finish someone off kill, destroy, or comprehensively defeat someone.finish up complete an action or process: he hadn't finished up the paperwork. ∎  end a period of time or course of action by doing something or being in a particular position: we finished up with a plate of sweets.DERIVATIVES: fin·ish·er n.