finishing touch

noun

: the last thing done to make something complete
added candles to the cake as the finishing touch
—usually plural
They're putting the finishing touches on their new home.
He's putting the finishing touches on his latest novel.

Examples of finishing touch 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.
Wearing red for the Qatar state banquet later that year, the ruby bracelet was the finishing touch. — Stephanie Bridger-Linning, Vanity Fair, 25 Oct. 2026 The finishing touch should be a shine-enhancing hair gloss to blend the blonde tones seamlessly into the brunette strands. — Jacqueline Kilikita, Vogue, 22 Oct. 2026 Balsamic vinegar Dark, rich, and sweet-tart, balsamic vinegar can be a finishing touch or an essential ingredient, depending on the bottle. — Emily Saladino, Bon Appetit Magazine, 19 Oct. 2026 The soup’s rich, savory flavor is perfect for fall, and a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of Parmesan add the finishing touch. — Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for finishing touch

Rhymes for finishing touch

See All Rhymes for finishing touch

Browse Nearby Words

finishing stove
finishing touch
finish line
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Finishing touch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/finishing%20touch. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of milieu

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
different halloween monsters in silhouette
A Monstrous Vocab Quiz Words That Go Bump in the Night
See All