Over vs. Finish — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on September 27, 2023
"Over" often denotes position or completion, while "Finish" specifically indicates the end or conclusion of something.
Difference Between Over and Finish
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Key Differences
Over and Finish both can imply the conclusion of an event. While "The event is over" means the event has concluded, "The event has finished" means it has come to its intended end.
In spatial contexts, Over typically refers to a position above or beyond something. For instance, "The plane flew over the mountains." In contrast, Finish does not carry this spatial connotation and usually denotes the completion of a task or action.
Over can also be used as a prefix to imply excessiveness, like "overtime" or "overcook." On the other hand, Finish can signify the last layer or final touch, as in "The artist gave the painting a glossy finish."
While Over can be utilized in various contexts such as time, quantity, and position, Finish is more specialized, often implying the end or termination of a process.
Lastly, it's worth noting that in some situations, Over and Finish can be used interchangeably. "The game is over" and "The game has finished" mean roughly the same, but the nuances of each word can offer different emphases in various contexts.
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Comparison Chart
Primary Meaning
Position above/beyond or completion
End or conclusion
Use as a Prefix
Implies excessiveness
Does not typically function as a prefix
Spatial Connotation
Yes, e.g., "over the hill"
No
Nuance in Context
Can imply a state or condition
Often implies the finality of a task or process
Part of Speech
Preposition, adverb, adjective, verb
Verb, noun
Compare with Definitions
Over
Completed or done.
The concert is over.
Finish
To consume or deplete entirely.
He finished his coffee in one gulp.
Over
In reference to communication mediums.
Please transfer the call over to the manager.
Finish
To stop (doing an activity or task) after reaching the point at which there is nothing left to do
Finished cleaning the room.
Over
In or at a position above or higher than
A sign over the door.
A hawk gliding over the hills.
Finish
To bring to a required or desired state
Finish an assignment.
Finish a painting.
Over
Above and across from one end or side to the other
A jump over the fence.
Finish
To arrive at or attain the end of
Finish a race.
Over
To the other side of; across
Strolled over the bridge.
Finish
(Sports) To perform the last maneuver in (an offensive play), scoring a goal.
Over
Across the edge of and down
Fell over the cliff.
Finish
To consume all of; use up
Finish a pie.
Finished off the pizza.
Over
On the other side of
A village over the border.
Finish
To give (wood, for example) a desired or particular surface texture.
Over
Upon the surface of
Put a coat of varnish over the woodwork.
Finish
To destroy; kill
Finished the injured horse with a bullet.
Over
On top of or down upon
Clubbed him over the head.
Tripped over the toys.
Finish
To bring about the ruin of
The stock market crash finished many speculators.
Over
Through the extent of; all through
Walked over the grounds.
Looked over the report.
Finish
To come to an end; stop
A story that finishes with a twist.
Over
Through the medium of; via
Addressed us over the loudspeaker.
Can't tell you over the phone.
Finish
To reach the end of a task, course, or relationship
The speaker finished with a rousing call to action.
Over
So as to cover
Put rocks over a cave entrance.
Threw a shawl over her shoulders.
Finish
(Sports) To score a goal as the last maneuver in a play
A good forward who just can't seem to finish.
Over
Up to or higher than the level or height of
The water was over my shoulders.
Finish
The final part; the conclusion
Racers neck-and-neck at the finish.
Over
Through the period or duration of
Records maintained over two years.
Finish
The reason for one's ruin; downfall
Stealing the computer codes proved to be his finish.
Over
Until or beyond the end of
Stayed over the holidays.
Finish
The last treatment or coating of a surface
Applied a shellac finish to the cabinet.
Over
More than in degree, quantity, or extent
Over ten miles.
Over a thousand dollars.
Finish
The surface texture produced by such a treatment or coating.
Over
In superiority to
Won a narrow victory over her rival.
A distinct advantage over our competitors.
Finish
A material used in surfacing or finishing.
Over
In preference to
Selected him over all the others.
Finish
Completeness, refinement, or smoothness of execution; polish.
Over
In a position to rule or control
The director presides over the meeting. There is no one over him in the department.
Finish
The flavor left in the mouth after wine has been swallowed.
Over
So as to have an effect or influence on
The change that came over you.
Finish
An end; the end of anything.
Over
At a point at which one is no longer troubled by
I'm not quite over the cold I caught last week.
Finish
A protective coating given to wood or metal and other surfaces.
The car's finish was so shiny and new.
Over
While occupied with or engaged in
A chat over coffee.
Finish
The result of any process changing the physical or chemical properties of cloth.
Over
With reference to; concerning
An argument over methods.
Finish
A finishing touch; careful elaboration; polish.
Over
Above the top or surface
Climbed the ladder and peered over.
Finish
(sports) A shot on goal, especially one that ends in a goal.
Over
Across to another or opposite side
Stopped at the curb, then crossed over.
Finish
(transitive) To complete (something).
Be sure to finish your homework before you go to bed!
Over
Across the edge, brink, or brim
The coffee spilled over.
Finish
(transitive) To apply a treatment to a surface or similar.
The furniture was finished in teak veneer.
Over
Across an intervening space
Throw the ball over.
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.
Over
Across a distance in a particular direction or at a location
Lives over in England.
Finish
(intransitive) To come to an end.
We had to leave before the concert had finished.
Over
To another often specified place or position
Move your chair over toward the fire.
Finish
(transitive) To put an end to; to destroy.
These rumours could finish your career.
Over
To one's place of residence or business
Invited us over for cocktails.
Finish
To reach orgasm.
Over
Throughout an entire area or region
Wandered all over.
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.
Over
To a different opinion or allegiance
Win someone over.
Finish
To bestow the last required labor upon; to complete; to bestow the utmost possible labor upon; to perfect; to accomplish; to polish.
Over
So as to be comprehensible, acceptable, or effective; across
Eventually got my point over.
Finish
To come to an end; to terminate.
His days may finish ere that hapless time.
Over
To a different person, condition, or title
Sign the property over.
Finish
To end; to die.
Over
So as to be completely enclosed or covered
The river froze over. Engineers sealed the tunnel entrance over.
Finish
That which finishes, puts an end to or perfects.
Over
Completely through; from beginning to end
Think the problem over. Let's read the memo over.
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.
Over
From an upright position
Kicked the bookstand over.
Finish
The labor required to give final completion to any work; hence, minute detail, careful elaboration, or the like.
Over
From an upward position to an inverted or reversed position
Turn the paper over.
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.
Over
Another time; again
Counted his cards over.
Had to do it over.
Finish
Completion; - opposed to start, or beginning.
Over
In repetition
Made me write it ten times over.
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
Over
In addition or excess; in surplus
Lots of food left over.
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
Over
Beyond or until a specified time
Stay a day over.
Finish
The act of finishing;
His best finish in a major tournament was third
The speaker's finishing was greeted with applause
Over
At an end
Summer is over.
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
Over
A series of six balls bowled from one end of a cricket pitch.
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
Over
To jump over
Horse and rider overed the stile with ease.
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
Over
Used in two-way radio to indicate that a transmission is complete and a reply is awaited.
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
Over
Discontinued; ended or concluded.
The show is over.
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
Over
Thoroughly; completely; from beginning to end.
Let's talk over the project at tomorrow's meeting.
Let me think that over.
I'm going to look over our department's expenses.
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
Over
(often in compounds) To an excessive degree; overly.
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
Over
From an upright position to a horizontal one.
He tipped the bottle over, and the water came gushing out.
That building just fell over!
He bent over to touch his toes.
Finish
Finally be or do something;
He ended up marrying his high school sweetheart
He wound up being unemployed and living at home again
Over
Horizontally; left to right or right to left.
Slide the toilet-paper dispenser's door over when one roll is empty in order to reveal the other.
I moved over to make room for him to sit down.
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
Over
From one side of something to another, passing above it.
The fence is too high. I don't think I'll be able to get over.
Finish
Provide with a finish;
The carpenter finished the table beautifully
Over
From one position or state to another.
Please pass that over to me.
He came over to our way of thinking on the new project.
Come over and play!
I'll bring over a pizza.
Finish
Finish eating all the food on one's plate or on the table;
She polished off the remaining potatoes
Over
Overnight throughout the night.
We stayed over at Grandma's.
Can I sleep over?
Finish
Cause to finish a relationship with somebody;
That finished me with Mary
Over
Again; another time; once more; over again.
I lost my paper and I had to do the entire assignment over.
Finish
To bring to an end or complete.
I need to finish my assignment.
Over
(cricket) A set of six legal balls bowled.
Finish
The final appearance of a surface.
The table has a glossy finish.
Over
Any surplus amount of money, goods delivered, etc.
Finish
The end or conclusion.
The finish line is in sight.
Over
A shore, riverbank.
The sea's over.
Finish
To defeat or destroy.
The villain vowed to finish the hero.
Over
Expressing spatial relationship.
Over
On top of; above; higher than; further up.
Hold the sign up over your head.
Over
Across or spanning.
There is a bridge over the river.
I looked out over the sea.
Over
In such a way as to cover.
Drape the fabric over the table.
There is a roof over the house.
Over
From one physical position to another via an obstacle that must be traversed vertically, first upwards and then downwards.
The dog jumped over the fence.
I'll go over [the fence] first and then help you.
Let's walk over the hill to get there.
Over
Expressing comparison.
Over
More than; to a greater degree.
I prefer the purple over the pink.
Over
Beyond; past; exceeding; too much or too far.
I think I’m over my limit for calories for today.
Over
(in certain collocations) As compared to.
Sales are down this quarter over last.
Over
Indicating relative status, authority, or power
The owner's son lorded it over the experienced managers.
The prince ruled over a portion of the kingdom.
Over
(mathematics) Divided by.
Two over six equals one over three.
Over
(poker) Separates the three of a kind from the pair in a full house.
9♦9♠9♣6♥6♠ = nines over sixes
Over
Finished with; done with; from one state to another via a hindrance that must be solved or defeated; or via a third state that represents a significant difference from the first two.
We got over the engineering problems and the prototype works great.
I am over my cold and feel great again.
I know the referee made a bad call, but you have to get over it [your annoyance with the referee's decision].
She is finally over [the distress of] losing her job.
He is finally over his [distress over the loss of the relationship with his] ex-girlfriend.
Over
While using, especially while consuming.
Over
Concerning or regarding.
The two boys had a fight over whose girlfriend was the best.
Over
Above, implying superiority after a contest; in spite of; notwithstanding.
We triumphed over difficulties.
The bill was passed over the veto.
It was a fine victory over their opponents.
Over
A radio procedure word meaning that the station is finished with its transmission and is expecting a response.
Bravo Six, this is Bravo Six Four. Stand by for ten mike report one dash three, over.
Bravo Six Four, this is Bravo Six Actual. Send your traffic, over.
How do you receive? Over!
Over
To go over, or jump over.
He overed the fence in good style.
Over
To run about.
The cattle have been overing all day because of the flies.
Over
Above, or higher than, in place or position, with the idea of covering; - opposed to under; as, clouds are over our heads; the smoke rises over the city.
The mercy seat that is over the testimony.
Over them gleamed far off the crimson banners of morning.
Over
Across; from side to side of; - implying a passing or moving, either above the substance or thing, or on the surface of it; as, a dog leaps over a stream or a table.
Certain lakes . . . poison birds which fly over them.
Over
Upon the surface of, or the whole surface of; hither and thither upon; throughout the whole extent of; as, to wander over the earth; to walk over a field, or over a city.
Over
Above; - implying superiority in excellence, dignity, condition, or value; as, the advantages which the Christian world has over the heathen.
Over
Above in authority or station; - implying government, direction, care, attention, guard, responsibility, etc.; - opposed to under.
Thou shalt be over my house.
I will make thee rules over many things.
Dost thou not watch over my sin ?
His tender mercies are over all his works.
Over
Across or during the time of; from beginning to end of; as, to keep anything over night; to keep corn over winter.
Over
Above the perpendicular height or length of, with an idea of measurement; as, the water, or the depth of water, was over his head, over his shoes.
Over
Beyond; in excess of; in addition to; more than; as, it cost over five dollars.
Over
Above, implying superiority after a contest; in spite of; notwithstanding; as, he triumphed over difficulties; the bill was passed over the veto.
Over
From one side to another; from side to side; across; crosswise; as, a board, or a tree, a foot over, i. e., a foot in diameter.
Over
From one person or place to another regarded as on the opposite side of a space or barrier; - used with verbs of motion; as, to sail over to England; to hand over the money; to go over to the enemy.
Over
From beginning to end; throughout the course, extent, or expanse of anything; as, to look over accounts, or a stock of goods; a dress covered over with jewels.
Over
From inside to outside, above or across the brim.
Good measure, pressed down . . . and running over.
Over
Beyond a limit; hence, in excessive degree or quantity; superfluously; with repetition; as, to do the whole work over.
He that gathered much had nothing over.
Over
In a manner to bring the under side to or towards the top; as, to turn (one's self) over; to roll a stone over; to turn over the leaves; to tip over a cart.
Over
Completed; at an end; beyond the limit of continuance; finished; as, when will the play be over?.
Over
Excessively; too much or too greatly; - chiefly used in composition; as, overwork, overhasty, overeager, overanxious, overreact, overcook.
Over
Upper; covering; higher; superior; - chiefly used in composition; as, overshoes, overcoat, over-garment, overlord.
Over
Excessive; too much or too great; - chiefly used in composition; as, overwork, overhaste, overreaction.
Over
A certain number of balls (usually four) delivered successively from behind one wicket, after which the ball is bowled from behind the other wicket as many times, the fielders changing places.
Over
(cricket) the period during which a given number of balls (6 in England but 8 in Australia) are bowled at the batsman by one player from the other team from the same end of the pitch
Over
Having come or been brought to a conclusion;
The harvesting was complete
The affair is over, ended, finished
The abruptly terminated interview
Over
At or to a point across intervening space etc.;
Come over and see us some time
Over there
Over
Throughout an area;
He is known the world over
Over
In such a manner as to be understood and accepted;
She cannot get her ideas across
Over
Throughout a period of time;
Stay over the weekend
Over
Position above or covering.
The blanket is over the bed.
Over
Beyond a certain limit or amount.
He worked overtime.
Over
Throughout or during a period of time.
Over the years, they became close friends.
Common Curiosities
Does "finish" always indicate the end?
Most often, but context matters, like a "finish" on wood.
Is "finish" used to describe appearance?
Yes, especially in contexts like a "matte finish."
Can "over" indicate completion?
Yes, as in "The meeting is over."
In what context is "finish" used in sports?
It refers to the end, like the "finish line" in a race.
Can "over" indicate a period of time?
Yes, as in "over the weekend."
Can "over" be a prefix?
Yes, as in "overwork" or "overtime."
How does "over" denote position?
It can mean above or covering, like "clouds over the city."
Can "finish" imply a task's completion?
Yes, as in "I'll finish the report by tomorrow."
Is "over" used in communication contexts?
Yes, especially in radio talk, e.g., "Come in, over."
How is "finish" used in the context of food?
It can mean consume entirely, like "finish your dinner."
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
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.
