different between fulfill vs finish

English

Alternative forms

• (UK) fulfil

Etymology

From Middle English fulfillen, from Old English fullfyllan (“to fill full”), corresponding to ful- +? fill.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /f?l?f?l/, /f??f?l/
• Rhymes: -?l

Verb

fulfill (third-person singular simple present fulfills, present participle fulfilling, simple past and past participle fulfilled) (American spelling)

1. To satisfy, carry out, bring to completion (an obligation, a requirement, etc.).
2. To emotionally or artistically satisfy; to develop one's gifts to the fullest.

3. To obey, follow, comply with (a rule, requirement etc.).

4. (business) To package, distribute, or ship goods.
5. (archaic) To fill full; fill to the utmost capacity; fill up.
   • 1870, James Thomson, The City of Dreadful Night

     The silence which benumbs or strains the sense

     Fulfils with awe the soul's despair unweeping

Derived terms

• fulfilled
• fulfilling
• fulfillable
• (chiefly US) fulfillment; (UK) fulfilment
• unfulfilled

Translations

English

Etymology

From Middle English finishen, finisshen, finischen, from Old French finiss-, stem of some of the conjugated forms of finir, from Latin f?n?re, present active infinitive of f?ni?.

Pronunciation

• enPR: f?n'?sh, IPA^(key): /?f?n??/
• Homophone: Finnish

Noun

finish (plural finishes)

1. An end; the end of anything.
2. A protective coating given to wood or metal and other surfaces.

3. The result of any process changing the physical or chemical properties of cloth.
4. A finishing touch; careful elaboration; polish.
5. (sports) A shot on goal, especially one that ends in a goal.

Translations

Verb

finish (third-person singular simple present finishes, present participle finishing, simple past and past participle finished)

1. (transitive) To complete (something).

2. (transitive) To apply a treatment to (a surface or similar).
3. (transitive) To change an animal's food supply in the months before it is due for slaughter, with the intention of fattening the animal.

4. (intransitive) To come to an end.

5. (transitive) To put an end to; to destroy.

   These rumours could finish your career.

6. (intransitive) To reach orgasm.

Usage notes

• (transitive, to complete): This is a catenative verb that takes the gerund (the -ing form). See Appendix:English catenative verbs

Antonyms

• (to complete): initiate, begin, start

Derived terms

• nice guys finish last

Translations

Related terms

• finish line
• finishing school

Anagrams

• fishin'

Danish

Etymology

From English finish.

Noun

finish c (singular definite finishen, not used in plural form)

1. (the appearance after) fine-tuning, finishing touch
2. finish (a spectacular end in a race or a competition)

Further reading

• “finish” in Den Danske Ordbog

Dutch

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?f?.n??/
• Hyphenation: fi?nish

Etymology 1

Borrowed from English finish.

Noun

finish m (uncountable)

1. finish; end

Derived terms

• finishlijn

Etymology 2

See the etymology of the main entry.

Verb

finish

1. first-person singular present indicative of finishen
2. imperative of finishen