done
duhn
Done (adjective) means Finished or completed. Example: “I'm almost done with the report.”
adjective
1
Finished or completed.
"I'm almost done with the report."
"By the time we arrived, the meeting was already done."
"Once the washing-up is done, we can sit down and relax."
2
Cooked long enough to be ready to eat.
"Check if the chicken is done before you take it off the grill."
"The potatoes are not done yet, so leave them in the oven longer."
"I like my steak well done, with no pink in the middle."
3
Completely worn out, exhausted, or with nothing left to give.
"After the double shift, she was absolutely done."
"I have been running around all day and I am completely done."
"By the end of exam week, the students were totally done."
4
Socially acceptable or fashionable, as in "the done thing."
"Wearing white after Labor Day just isn't done in some circles."
"In our family, it simply is not done to start eating before everyone sits."
"Interrupting a speaker is just not done in formal debates."
interjection
1
Used to signal that a task, deal, or agreement is settled or finished.
""I'll take it for two hundred." "Done!""
"You pay for the tickets and I will drive. Done!"
How to use done
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe finished state of something — a task, a meal, an agreement, or even a person's energy.
Common mistake
As an interjection sealing a deal, "Done!" is informal but standard; don't confuse it with the past tense of "do," which is "did," not "done" (say "I did it," not "I done it").
Common pairings
well done
done deal
done and dusted
get it done
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more done
- Superlative
- most done
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
I'm almost _____ with the report.
Etymology
From Old English gedōn, the past participle of dōn ("to do") — the same ending pattern survives in words like "gone" and "known."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for done
See all rhymes for done →Frequently asked questions
What does “done” mean?
The word “done” means finished or completed. In plain terms, the finished state of something — a task, a meal, an agreement, or even a person's energy.
How do you pronounce “done”?
“Done” is pronounced duhn (/dʌn/ in IPA).
How do you use “done” in a sentence?
Here is “done” used in a sentence: “I'm almost done with the report.”
What part of speech is “done”?
Depending on how it is used, “done” can be an adjective and an interjection.
Where does the word “done” come from?
The word “done” comes from Old English. From Old English gedōn, the past participle of dōn ("to do") — the same ending pattern survives in words like "gone" and "known.".
Is “done” a common word?
“Done” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “done” have?
“Done” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: finished or completed.
What is the difference between 'done' and 'finished'?
As adjectives they are nearly identical — both mean something is complete. 'Finished' can sound slightly more formal, while 'done' is common in speech. With food, 'done' specifically means cooked enough to eat. Traditionally some teachers preferred 'finished' for people and 'done' for tasks, but today both are widely accepted.
Is it correct to say 'I am done'?
Yes. 'I am done' is standard, natural English meaning you have finished. Some older style guides argued 'I have finished' was more proper, but 'I'm done' is fully accepted in both speech and writing. 'I am finished' is equally correct and can sound a touch more formal in tone.
What is the opposite of 'done'?
The opposite of 'done' is 'unfinished' or 'incomplete,' describing something still in progress. 'Undone' can also serve as an opposite, meaning not yet completed — though it can additionally mean untied or reversed. If a task is not done, you might say it is pending, ongoing, or outstanding.
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