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Synonyms

unfinished

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

adjective

  1. not 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

Vocabulary lists containing unfinished

Lacking

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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.

Julian wants to destroy the unfinished Christophers, but can’t bring himself to douse the canvases in kerosene and light the match.

From Salon • Apr. 17, 2026

Instead the funds were diverted to new projects which resulted in hundreds of unfinished properties across China.

From BBC • Apr. 14, 2026

In 2023 an 18-year-old British hacker called Arion Kurtaj was given an indefinite hospital order after hacking into the company and stealing data, source code and video clips of the unfinished GTA 6 game.

From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026

The actor stars in Steven Soderbergh’s clever drama as an artist whose children arrange the forgery of his unfinished works to ensure themselves an inheritance.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

I fold up the note, knowing it’s unfinished, knowing the fresh ink will smear.

From "The Cruel Prince" by Holly Black

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.