Complete vs. Finish: What's the Difference?
Edited by Huma Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || Updated on September 27, 2023
Complete denotes having all parts or elements; lacking nothing, while Finish refers to bringing something to an end or conclusion.
Key Differences
Complete and Finish, while seemingly similar, serve different linguistic functions. Complete emphasizes the wholeness or entirety of something, suggesting that nothing is missing. Finish, on the other hand, emphasizes the termination or conclusion of an action or process.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 27, 2023
Consider a puzzle. When all pieces are put together, one can say the puzzle is "complete" because nothing is missing. However, when the process of assembling the puzzle ends, one "finishes" the puzzle.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 27, 2023
The word Complete often implies perfection or fulfillment. For example, when a person feels "complete," they feel whole or fulfilled in a specific context. On the contrary, to "finish" something doesn't necessarily mean it's perfect; it merely means it's done or concluded.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 27, 2023
Another distinction is in the usage of both words. Complete can be both an adjective ("a complete set") and a verb ("to complete a task"). Finish is primarily used as a verb, though it can also be a noun in contexts like "a glossy finish."
Aimie Carlson
Sep 27, 2023
In daily parlance, Complete and Finish can sometimes be used interchangeably, especially in casual settings. Yet, understanding their nuanced differences adds precision to one's expression.
Janet White
Sep 27, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Primary Definition
Having all necessary parts, elements, or steps.
To bring something to an end or conclusion.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 27, 2023
Usage
Can be both an adjective and a verb.
Primarily a verb, sometimes a noun.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 27, 2023
Connotation
Suggests wholeness or entirety.
Suggests termination or conclusion.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 27, 2023
Example Scenario
A filled form or a solved puzzle.
The end of a race or a task.
Sara Rehman
Sep 27, 2023
Grammatical Position
Often used before nouns as an adjective or as a verb in sentences.
Commonly used as a verb in sentences.
Janet White
Sep 27, 2023
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Complete and Finish Definitions
Complete
Absolute or unqualified.
His happiness was complete when he received the award.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 27, 2023
Finish
The final or concluding stage.
The sprinter had a strong finish in the race.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 27, 2023
Complete
Finished; ended; concluded.
The construction of the bridge is now complete.
Sara Rehman
Sep 27, 2023
Complete
Having all modifying or complementary elements included.
The complete subject of the sentence was underlined.
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Sep 27, 2023
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Finish
To defeat or destroy.
The boxer wanted to finish his opponent in the next round.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 27, 2023
Complete
Having all necessary or normal parts, components, or steps; entire
A complete medical history.
A complete set of dishes.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 10, 2023
Finish
To stop (doing an activity or task) after reaching the point at which there is nothing left to do
Finished cleaning the room.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 10, 2023
Complete
(Botany) Having all principal parts, namely, the sepals, petals, stamens, and pistil or pistils. Used of a flower.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 10, 2023
Finish
To bring to a required or desired state
Finish an assignment.
Finish a painting.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 10, 2023
Complete
Having come to an end; concluded
The renovation of the kitchen is complete.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 10, 2023
Finish
(Sports) To perform the last maneuver in (an offensive play), scoring a goal.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 10, 2023
Complete
To make whole, with all necessary elements or parts
A second child would complete their family. Fill in the blanks to complete the form.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 10, 2023
Finish
To bring about the ruin of
The stock market crash finished many speculators.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 10, 2023
Complete
(Football) To throw (a forward pass) that is caught in bounds by a receiver.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 10, 2023
Complete
(ambitransitive) To finish; to make done; to reach the end.
He completed the assignment on time.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 10, 2023
Finish
To reach the end of a task, course, or relationship
The speaker finished with a rousing call to action.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 10, 2023
Complete
(transitive) To make whole or entire.
The last chapter completes the book nicely.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 10, 2023
Finish
(Sports) To score a goal as the last maneuver in a play
A good forward who just can't seem to finish.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 10, 2023
Complete
With all parts included; with nothing missing; full.
My life will be complete once I buy this new television.
She offered me complete control of the project.
After she found the rook, the chess set was complete.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 10, 2023
Finish
The reason for one's ruin; downfall
Stealing the computer codes proved to be his finish.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 10, 2023
Complete
Finished; ended; concluded; completed.
When your homework is complete, you can go and play with Martin.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 10, 2023
Finish
The last treatment or coating of a surface
Applied a shellac finish to the cabinet.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 10, 2023
Complete
Generic intensifier.
He is a complete bastard!
It was a complete shock when he turned up on my doorstep.
Our vacation was a complete disaster.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 10, 2023
Complete
In which every Cauchy sequence converges to a point within the space.
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Jan 10, 2023
Complete
That is in a given complexity class and is such that every other problem in the class can be reduced to it (usually in polynomial time or logarithmic space).
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 10, 2023
Finish
A protective coating given to wood or metal and other surfaces.
The car's finish was so shiny and new.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 10, 2023
Complete
Filled up; with no part or element lacking; free from deficiency; entire; perfect; consummate.
Ye are complete in him.
That thou, dead corse, again in complete steelRevisit'st thus the glimpses of the moon.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 10, 2023
Finish
The result of any process changing the physical or chemical properties of cloth.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 10, 2023
Complete
Finished; ended; concluded; completed; as, the edifice is complete.
This course of vanity almost complete.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 10, 2023
Complete
Having all the parts or organs which belong to it or to the typical form; having calyx, corolla, stamens, and pistil.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 10, 2023
Complete
To bring to a state in which there is no deficiency; to perfect; to consummate; to accomplish; to fulfill; to finish; as, to complete a task, or a poem; to complete a course of education.
Bred only and completed to the tasteOf lustful appetence.
And, to complete her bliss, a fool for mate.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 10, 2023
Finish
(transitive) To complete (something).
Be sure to finish your homework before you go to bed!
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 10, 2023
Complete
Come or bring to a finish or an end;
He finished the dishes
She completed the requirements for her Master's Degree
The fastest runner finished the race in just over 2 hours; others finished in over 4 hours
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 10, 2023
Finish
(transitive) To apply a treatment to a surface or similar.
The furniture was finished in teak veneer.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 10, 2023
Complete
Bring to a whole, with all the necessary parts or elements;
A child would complete the family
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 10, 2023
Finish
(transitive) To change an animal's food supply in the months before it is due for slaughter, with the intention of fattening the animal.
Due to BSE, cows in the United Kingdom must be finished and slaughtered before 30 months of age.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 10, 2023
Finish
(intransitive) To come to an end.
We had to leave before the concert had finished.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 10, 2023
Finish
(transitive) To put an end to; to destroy.
These rumours could finish your career.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 10, 2023
Complete
Write all the required information onto a form;
Fill out this questionnaire, please!
Make out a form
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 10, 2023
Complete
Having every necessary or normal part or component or step;
A complete meal
A complete wardrobe
A complete set pf the Britannica
A complete set of china
A complete defeat
A complete accounting
An incomplete flower
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 10, 2023
Finish
To arrive at the end of; to bring to an end; to put an end to; to make an end of; to terminate.
And heroically hath finishedA life heroic.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 10, 2023
Complete
Perfect and complete in every respect; having all necessary qualities;
A complete gentleman
Consummate happiness
A consummate performance
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 10, 2023
Finish
To bestow the last required labor upon; to complete; to bestow the utmost possible labor upon; to perfect; to accomplish; to polish.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 10, 2023
Complete
Having all four whorls or principal parts--sepals and petals and stamens and carpels (or pistils);
Complete flowers
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 10, 2023
Finish
To come to an end; to terminate.
His days may finish ere that hapless time.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 10, 2023
Complete
Without qualification; used informally as (often pejorative) intensifiers;
An arrant fool
A complete coward
A consummate fool
A double-dyed villain
Gross negligence
A perfect idiot
Pure folly
What a sodding mess
Stark staring mad
A thoroughgoing villain
Utter nonsense
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 10, 2023
Complete
Having come or been brought to a conclusion;
The harvesting was complete
The affair is over, ended, finished
The abruptly terminated interview
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 10, 2023
Finish
The joiner work and other finer work required for the completion of a building, especially of the interior. See Inside finish, and Outside finish.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 10, 2023
Complete
Lacking no component part; whole or entire.
She gave him a complete set of the Harry Potter books.
Janet White
Sep 27, 2023
Finish
The labor required to give final completion to any work; hence, minute detail, careful elaboration, or the like.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 10, 2023
Complete
To make whole or perfect.
She needed to complete three more courses to earn her degree.
Harlon Moss
Sep 27, 2023
Finish
The result of completed labor, as on the surface of an object; manner or style of finishing; as, a rough, dead, or glossy finish given to cloth, stone, metal, etc.
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 10, 2023
Finish
A decorative texture or appearance of a surface (or the substance that gives it that appearance);
The boat had a metallic finish
He applied a coat of a clear finish
When the finish is too thin it is difficult to apply evenly
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 10, 2023
Finish
Designated event that concludes a contest (especially a race);
Excitement grew as the finish neared
My horse was several lengths behind at the finish
The winner is the team with the most points at the finish
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 10, 2023
Finish
The act of finishing;
His best finish in a major tournament was third
The speaker's finishing was greeted with applause
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 10, 2023
Finish
The place designated as the end (as of a race or journey);
A crowd assembled at the finish
He was nearly exhuasted as their destination came into view
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 10, 2023
Finish
The temporal end; the concluding time;
The stopping point of each round was signaled by a bell
The market was up at the finish
They were playing better at the close of the season
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 10, 2023
Finish
(wine tasting) the taste of a wine on the back of the tongue (as it is swallowed);
The wine has a nutty flavor and a pleasant finish
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Jan 10, 2023
Finish
Event whose occurrence ends something;
His death marked the ending of an era
When these final episodes are broadcast it will be the finish of the show
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 10, 2023
Finish
The downfall of someone (as of persons on one side of a conflict);
Booze will be the finish of him
It was a fight to the finish
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 10, 2023
Finish
A highly developed state of perfection; having a flawless or impeccable quality;
They performed with great polish
I admired the exquisite refinement of his prose
Almost an inspiration which gives to all work that finish which is almost art
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 10, 2023
Finish
Come or bring to a finish or an end;
He finished the dishes
She completed the requirements for her Master's Degree
The fastest runner finished the race in just over 2 hours; others finished in over 4 hours
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 10, 2023
Finish
Finally be or do something;
He ended up marrying his high school sweetheart
He wound up being unemployed and living at home again
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 10, 2023
Finish
Have an end, in a temporal, spatial, or quantitative sense; either spatial or metaphorical;
The bronchioles terminate in a capillary bed
Your rights stop where you infringe upon the rights of other
My property ends by the bushes
The symphony ends in a pianissimo
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 10, 2023
Finish
Finish eating all the food on one's plate or on the table;
She polished off the remaining potatoes
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 10, 2023
Finish
Cause to finish a relationship with somebody;
That finished me with Mary
Sawaira Riaz
Jan 10, 2023
Finish
To bring to an end; terminate.
She will finish her assignment by tomorrow.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 27, 2023
Finish
The protective coating or surface treatment of a material.
The wooden table had a glossy finish.
Janet White
Sep 27, 2023
FAQs
Can something be finished but not complete?
Yes, one can finish a task without it being complete in all its details.
Janet White
Sep 27, 2023
Can a task be complete but not finished?
Yes, a task can be complete in its requirements but not yet concluded.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 27, 2023
Can "finish" indicate quality?
Yes, especially when referring to the quality of a surface or end result.
Sara Rehman
Sep 27, 2023
Which is more final: Complete or Finish?
Finish has a more definitive sense of conclusion.
Janet White
Sep 27, 2023
Which word suggests perfection?
Complete often implies wholeness or perfection.
Harlon Moss
Sep 27, 2023
Does "completely finished" make sense?
Yes, it emphasizes that something is thoroughly concluded.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 27, 2023
Can Complete and Finish be used interchangeably?
In some contexts, yes, but they have nuanced differences.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 27, 2023
Is Finish always about ending something?
Primarily, yes. Finish usually refers to concluding or ending.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 27, 2023
Is "complete" always an adjective?
No, "complete" can also be a verb, as in "complete a form."
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 27, 2023
How can "finish" be used as a noun?
"Finish" can denote the surface quality of a material, like "a matte finish."
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 27, 2023
Can you "finish" a thought?
Yes, it means to conclude or express a thought fully.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 27, 2023
Is a "finished product" always "complete"?
Not necessarily. A "finished product" is ready for use or sale, but it might not have every possible feature.
Harlon Moss
Sep 27, 2023
Which term relates more to a process's end?
Finish relates more directly to the end or conclusion of a process.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 27, 2023
Is a "complete meal" the same as a "finished meal"?
No, a "complete meal" has all components, while a "finished meal" means it has been eaten or concluded.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 27, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira RiazSawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.
Edited by
Huma SaeedHuma is a renowned researcher acclaimed for her innovative work in Difference Wiki. Her dedication has led to key breakthroughs, establishing her prominence in academia. Her contributions continually inspire and guide her field.
