unfinished

adjective

un·​fin·​ished ˌən-ˈfi-nisht How to pronounce unfinished (audio)
Synonyms of unfinishednext
: not finished:
a
: not brought to an end or to the desired final state
an unfinished building/play/sentence
b
: being in a rough state : unpolished
unfinished wood
c
: subjected to no other processes (such as bleaching or dyeing) after coming from the loom

Examples of unfinished in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Building repairs can bring equipment or barriers into common areas, and unfinished work may leave a space looking different from the way residents normally encounter it. — Emma Clapp, Miami Herald, 16 Oct. 2026 His family started with an unfinished basement storage space. — Wakisha Bailey, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026 Opening this weekend, Cannes’ award-winning La Bola Negra, Spain’s Oscar entry for Best International Feature inspired by an unfinished Federico García Lorca play, marks a milestone for Netflix. — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2026 The company claimed an unfinished code left in the system, part of a prank, led to the crash. — Senior Television, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unfinished

Word History

First Known Use

1539, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unfinished was in 1539

Phrases Containing unfinished

Rhymes for unfinished

See All Rhymes for unfinished

Browse Nearby Words

unfinishable
unfinished
unfinished business
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unfinished.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unfinished. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

unfinished

adjective
un·​fin·​ished ˌən-ˈfin-isht How to pronounce unfinished (audio)
: not finished
especially : not brought to the desired state
unfinished furniture

More from Merriam-Webster on unfinished

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