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.
Not long ago, she and Peter Koskey got married, with the unfinished house as their wedding chapel. — Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026 The Sun enters your 12th House, drawing your attention toward rest, reflection, privacy, unfinished matters, and everything easier to hear when the outside world becomes less demanding. — Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 23 Oct. 2026 Called Claude Duet, the app can check emails and calendars, draft replies and follow up on unfinished work. — Wen Shao, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026 Florida Insurance Commissioner Michael Yaworsky has called the consultant’s work an unfinished draft containing errors, inconsistencies, outdated information and data-validation problems. — Matthew T. Christ, Sun Sentinel, 22 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 27 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

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