Done vs. Finish — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Urooj Arif — Updated on April 17, 2024
"Done" often implies something is completed to a satisfactory level, while "finish" suggests the completion of an action or task.
Difference Between Done and Finish
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Done" is typically used when referring to the state of being completely finished with an activity, implying no further work is required. Whereas "finish" is a verb that focuses on the act of completing a task or coming to the end of an activity.
When you say you are "done" with something, it can also imply a sense of sufficient satisfaction or exhaustion. On the other hand, to "finish" something strictly refers to bringing it to a conclusion, without necessarily implying satisfaction.
In usage, "done" can be an adjective or a past participle of the verb "do." Whereas "finish" is always a verb and is used to indicate the process of finishing.
The term "done" is also often used informally to express a full or complete state, such as in being done with a meal. On the other hand, "finish" can imply the completion of more formal or lengthy tasks, like finishing a marathon.
In expressions, "done" can be used in various contexts like "well done" or "done with you," which adds an emotional or qualitative aspect to it. On the other hand, "finish" is typically used in contexts that require an end to an action, like "finish your homework."
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Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Adjective, Past Participle
Verb
Usage Context
Completion, satisfaction, readiness
Completion of an action
Typical Expressions
"I'm done with my meal."
"Finish your report."
Emotional Connotation
Often implies fatigue or relief
Focuses on achievement, completion
Example
"He's done washing the car."
"She needs to finish the book."
Compare with Definitions
Done
Tired or fed up.
I am done trying to convince him.
Finish
To end a period.
The meeting will finish at noon.
Done
Cooked thoroughly.
Check if the chicken is done.
Finish
To complete an activity.
She will finish her degree this year.
Done
Ready.
Are you done with your presentation?
Finish
To perfect details.
Finish the edges of the table smoothly.
Done
Completed.
The project is finally done.
Finish
To use up completely.
Finish the milk before it spoils.
Done
Finalized.
Our decision is done.
Finish
To conclude a performance.
The concert finished with an encore.
Done
Past participle of do1.
Finish
To stop (doing an activity or task) after reaching the point at which there is nothing left to do
Finished cleaning the room.
Done
Having been carried out or accomplished; finished
A done deed.
Finish
To bring to a required or desired state
Finish an assignment.
Finish a painting.
Done
Cooked adequately.
Finish
To arrive at or attain the end of
Finish a race.
Done
Socially acceptable
Spitting on the street is just not done in polite society.
Finish
(Sports) To perform the last maneuver in (an offensive play), scoring a goal.
Done
(Informal) Totally worn out; exhausted.
Finish
To consume all of; use up
Finish a pie.
Finished off the pizza.
Done
Having completed or finished an activity.
He pushed his empty plate away, sighed and pronounced "I am done."
They were done playing and were picking up the toys when he arrived.
Finish
To give (wood, for example) a desired or particular surface texture.
Done
(of an activity or task) Completed or finished.
I'll text you when the movie's done.
Finish
To bring about the ruin of
The stock market crash finished many speculators.
Done
(of food) Ready, fully cooked.
As soon as the potatoes are done we can sit down and eat.
Finish
To come to an end; stop
A story that finishes with a twist.
Done
Being exhausted or fully spent.
When the water is done we will only be able to go on for a few days.
Finish
To reach the end of a task, course, or relationship
The speaker finished with a rousing call to action.
Done
Without hope or prospect of completion or success.
He is done, after three falls there is no chance he will be able to finish.
Finish
(Sports) To score a goal as the last maneuver in a play
A good forward who just can't seem to finish.
Done
Fashionable, socially acceptable, tasteful.
I can't believe he just walked up and spoke to her like that, those kind of things just aren't done!
What is the done thing these days? I can't keep up!
Finish
The final part; the conclusion
Racers neck-and-neck at the finish.
Done
Inflection of do
I have done my work.
Finish
The reason for one's ruin; downfall
Stealing the computer codes proved to be his finish.
Done
; did.
Finish
The last treatment or coating of a surface
Applied a shellac finish to the cabinet.
Done
Used in forming the perfective aspect; have.
I woke up and found out she done left.
Finish
The surface texture produced by such a treatment or coating.
Done
(obsolete) do
Finish
A material used in surfacing or finishing.
Done
(slang) methadone
On the done
Finish
Completeness, refinement, or smoothness of execution; polish.
Done
It is done or agreed; let it be a match or bargain; - used elliptically.
Finish
The flavor left in the mouth after wine has been swallowed.
Done
Given; executed; issued; made public; - used chiefly in the clause giving the date of a proclamation or public act.
Finish
An end; the end of anything.
Done
Having finished or arrived at completion;
Certain to make history before he's done
It's a done deed
After the treatment, the patient is through except for follow-up
Almost through with his studies
Finish
A protective coating given to wood or metal and other surfaces.
The car's finish was so shiny and new.
Done
Cooked until ready to serve
Finish
The result of any process changing the physical or chemical properties of cloth.
Finish
A finishing touch; careful elaboration; polish.
Finish
(sports) A shot on goal, especially one that ends in a goal.
Finish
(transitive) To complete (something).
Be sure to finish your homework before you go to bed!
Finish
(transitive) To apply a treatment to a surface or similar.
The furniture was finished in teak veneer.
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.
Finish
(intransitive) To come to an end.
We had to leave before the concert had finished.
Finish
(transitive) To put an end to; to destroy.
These rumours could finish your career.
Finish
To reach orgasm.
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.
Finish
To bestow the last required labor upon; to complete; to bestow the utmost possible labor upon; to perfect; to accomplish; to polish.
Finish
To come to an end; to terminate.
His days may finish ere that hapless time.
Finish
That which finishes, puts an end to or perfects.
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.
Finish
The labor required to give final completion to any work; hence, minute detail, careful elaboration, or the like.
Finish
Completion; - opposed to start, or beginning.
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
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
Finish
The act of finishing;
His best finish in a major tournament was third
The speaker's finishing was greeted with applause
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
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
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
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
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
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
Finish
Finally be or do something;
He ended up marrying his high school sweetheart
He wound up being unemployed and living at home again
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
Finish
Provide with a finish;
The carpenter finished the table beautifully
Finish
Finish eating all the food on one's plate or on the table;
She polished off the remaining potatoes
Finish
Cause to finish a relationship with somebody;
That finished me with Mary
Common Curiosities
What is the difference in formal usage between "done" and "finish"?
"Done" is less formal and often used in personal or casual conversations, while "finish" is more appropriate in formal settings and official contexts.
Can "finish" refer to the end of a physical object?
Yes, "finish" can also refer to the final surface or coating on an object, like in "wood finish."
What does "done" indicate in a workplace setting?
In a workplace, "done" typically indicates that a task or project requires no further work and has been completed satisfactorily.
How does the emotional implication of "finish" affect motivational speech?
In motivational contexts, "finish" can be empowering, urging an individual to see through the completion of tasks or goals, emphasizing perseverance and accomplishment.
Is there a grammatical difference in how "done" and "finish" are used in a sentence?
Yes, "done" can be an adjective or the past participle of "do," used with auxiliary verbs. "Finish" is always used as a verb needing a subject performing the action.
Can "finish" imply anything about quality?
"Finish" primarily implies completion rather than the quality of the outcome; however, it can suggest thoroughness in the process of completion.
Is "done" acceptable in professional writing?
"Done" can be used in professional writing, especially in informal communications, but it's generally better to use more specific terms like "completed" or "finalized" in formal documents.
How does the phrase "well done" differ from "finished"?
"Well done" typically refers to something completed successfully or to a high standard, particularly in terms of quality, while "finished" simply means something has ended or been completed.
Is "done" ever used in sports?
Yes, "done" is used informally to indicate that a player or team is exhausted or has no chance of winning, e.g., "They are done for the day."
Are there any idioms that feature "done" or "finish"?
Yes, common idioms include "done deal" (something finalized) and "finish strong" (to end something with a great effort or on a high note).
Can both "done" and "finish" be used in passive voice?
"Finish" can be used in passive voice, e.g., "The job was finished by noon." "Done" is already a past participle and is commonly used in passive constructions, e.g., "The job was done by noon."
Can "finish" be used in cooking?
Yes, in cooking, "finish" can refer to completing the cooking process or adding final touches, like "finish the dish with a sprinkle of parsley."
What does "I'm done" imply in emotional terms?
"I'm done" can imply emotional exhaustion or a decision to stop engaging in a situation due to frustration or dissatisfaction.
How can I teach the difference between "done" and "finish" to non-native speakers?
Explain that "done" refers to a state of being completed, often with no more action required, while "finish" refers to the act of completing or ending something.
What role does context play in choosing between "done" and "finish"?
Context is crucial; "done" is often used for tasks, meals, or states of being, reflecting an internal perspective, whereas "finish" is action-oriented, focusing on completing processes or tasks, usually observed externally.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
