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Synonyms

unfinished

American  
[uhn-fin-isht] / ʌnˈfɪn ɪʃt /

adjective

  1. not finished; finished; incomplete or unaccomplished.

  2. lacking some special finish or surface treatment, as polish, paint, etc.

  3. (of cloth) not sheared following the looming process.

  4. (of worsted) given a slight nap.

unfinished British  
/ ʌnˈfɪnɪʃt /

adjective

  1. incomplete or imperfect

  2. (of paint, polish, varnish, etc) without an applied finish; rough

  3. (of fabric) unbleached or not processed

  4. (of fabric) with a short nap

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • unfinishedness noun

Etymology

Origin of unfinished

First recorded in 1530–40; un- 1 + finished

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

I handed the oval back to her, suddenly shy as she packed up her supplies, the unfinished heart berry going in the bag last.

From Literature

The building itself, which was part of a school in Accra's New Town area, was being used despite lying unfinished for several years, according to locals.

From BBC

In contrast to the fast-paced dramas audiences may be more familiar with, Babies lingers in the quiet - the pauses, the unfinished conversations and the things left unsaid between its characters.

From BBC

When Raphael died after a brief illness at age 37, he left unfinished projects, talented students, and a legacy worthy of an artist twice his age.

From The Wall Street Journal

As well as the obvious emotional ties, Bellamy had unfinished business.

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.