unfinished

[ uhn-fin-isht ]

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

/ 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

Other Words From

• un·finished·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of unfinished¹

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

Example Sentences

In the unfinished painting, the tormented saint tilts his head far to one side, capping a long diagonal line made from an outstretched arm that cuts across the picture.

From Los Angeles Times

But people living on Fern Meadow in Wrexham have been plagued by issues including unfinished roads and pavements, flooding, and loose sockets and holes in their ceilings.

From BBC

“We never had a goodbye. I never got to hold his hand. His life feels so unfinished.”

From BBC

The Beatles also picked up a nomination for record of the year for Now And Then, an unfinished John Lennon track that was completed last year with the help of AI.

From BBC

Left unfinished at the composer’s death in 1869, it was the most important opera of last weekend and delivered in far and away the least decorative manner.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bare
• incomplete
• unadorned
• undeveloped
• unfulfilled