adj
Uncommon
unfinished
uhn-FIH-nihsht
Unfinished (adj) means not completed; still in progress. Example: “He left the novel unfinished when he died.”
adj
1
Not completed; still in progress.
"He left the novel unfinished when he died."
"There's unfinished business between us that we need to sort out."
"She put the unfinished jigsaw puzzle on the shelf until the weekend."
2
Of wood or a surface: not sanded, painted, coated, or otherwise finished.
"The furniture arrived unfinished, so we sanded and stained it ourselves."
"The unfinished floorboards felt rough under our bare feet."
"I prefer buying unfinished cabinets so I can paint them in my own colour."
How to use unfinished
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishNot yet completed, or (for materials) not yet given a final surface treatment.
Common pairings
unfinished business
unfinished manuscript
unfinished wood
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Etymology
From un- + finished.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for unfinished
fished
famished
vanished
polished
punished
finished
banished
cherished
furnished
published
nourished
anguished
See all rhymes for unfinished →
Frequently asked questions
What does “unfinished” mean?
The word “unfinished” means not completed; still in progress. In plain terms, not yet completed, or (for materials) not yet given a final surface treatment.
How do you pronounce “unfinished”?
“Unfinished” is pronounced uhn-FIH-nihsht (/ʌnˈfɪnɪʃt/ in IPA).
How do you use “unfinished” in a sentence?
Here is “unfinished” used in a sentence: “He left the novel unfinished when he died.”
What part of speech is “unfinished”?
“Unfinished” is an adjective.
Is “unfinished” a common word?
“Unfinished” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “unfinished” have?
“Unfinished” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: not completed; still in progress.
What is the difference between unfinished and incomplete?
Unfinished and incomplete both describe something not fully done, but unfinished is more often used for physical objects or works still in progress, such as an unfinished painting. Incomplete is broader and can describe missing parts in data, sets, or information as well as physical work.
What does unfinished mean when describing wood or furniture?
When describing wood or a surface, unfinished means it has not been sanded, painted, coated, or otherwise treated. Unfinished furniture is typically sold in its raw wood state so buyers can stain or paint it themselves.
What is the difference between unfinished and raw?
Unfinished specifically refers to something not having received a final treatment or completion, such as unfinished wood lacking a coating. Raw more broadly describes material in its natural, unprocessed state, which may never have been intended for finishing at all.
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