unfinished

adjective

un·​fin·​ished ˌən-ˈfi-nisht How to pronounce unfinished (audio)
: not finished:
a
: not brought to an end or to the desired final state
b
: being in a rough state : unpolished
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.
First lady Abigail Adams used the unfinished East Room as a laundry room. Bart Jansen, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025 Based on an unfinished work by poet and playwright Federico Garcia Lorca, The Black Ball weaves together the lives of three gay men from three distinct historical periods. Jennifer Green, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2025 The singer even gave him the first pages of his unfinished autobiography. Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 23 Oct. 2025 Paul Eskenazi, the location manager, worried about the construction chaos but recalls Carter’s surveying the unfinished rooms and immediately recognizing their potential. Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 19 Oct. 2025 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

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Cite this Entry

“Unfinished.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unfinished. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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