finite

finite — adjective

1. existing within a fixed boundary in size, number, or time, so that it cannot con

1.adjectiveB2
Definition

existing within a fixed boundary in size, number, or time, so that it cannot continue or increase without ending

Example

The world's supply of fresh water is finite, so we must use it wisely.

collocation: finite supply

Esteban knew his time in the city was finite, so he enjoyed every day.

Common collocations
  • finite supply
  • finite time
  • finite number
  • finite amount
  • finite budget
  • finite resources
  • finite universe
Synonyms
  • limited

    the most common everyday alternative; 'finite' is slightly more formal and often used in technical or academic contexts

  • bounded

    used especially in mathematics and physics; less common in general speech

  • restricted

    emphasises an artificial or imposed limit, whereas 'finite' describes a natural limit

Antonyms
  • infinite

    the direct and most common opposite; describes something without any limit or end

Grammar Patterns

finite + noun (supply / time / number / budget)

be + finite

Usage Note

Frequently modifies nouns that refer to quantities, resources, or durations (supply, time, number, budget, amount). The direct opposite is infinite.

Common Mistakes

There is finite water on Earth.
There is a finite amount of water on Earth.
finite is usually paired with a noun like supply, amount, or number rather than used alone before an uncountable noun.
The resources are finite limited.
The resources are finite.' OR 'The resources are limited.
finite and limited are close in meaning; using both together is redundant.

2. describes a verb form that changes its ending to show the tense (past, present,

2.adjectiveC1
Definition

describes a verb form that changes its ending to show the tense (past, present, future) and the person or thing carrying out the action — for example, 'she walks' (present, third person) versus 'to walk' (infinitive)

Example

In English, every sentence needs a finite verb, such as 'she runs' or 'they ran'.

contrast with non-finite forms

Naoko compared finite verbs like 'she eats' with non-finite forms such as 'eating' or 'to eat'.

Common collocations
  • finite verb
  • finite clause
  • finite form
  • finite verb form
Antonyms
  • non-finite

    describes verb forms such as infinitives, gerunds, and participles that do not show tense or person

Grammar Patterns

finite verb

finite clause

Usage Note

This sense is limited to grammar teaching and linguistic analysis. Only verbs — not nouns or adjectives — can be described as finite. A finite clause contains a finite verb and can stand alone as a complete sentence.

Common Mistakes

Walking is good for you' contains a finite verb.
Walking is good for you' contains a non-finite verb (a gerund).
'Walking' does not show tense or person; only the auxiliary 'is' is the finite verb here.
She to go to the store.
She goes to the store.' OR 'She went to the store.
'to go' is a non-finite infinitive and cannot serve as the main verb of a sentence.

Word family

  • finitely
    adverbC1
  • finiteness
    nounC1
  • infinite
    adjectiveB1
  • infinitely
    adverbB2
  • infinity
    nounB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

All three words describe something that is not unlimited, but they differ in nuance and typical use. Limited is the broadest and most everyday word — it can apply to time, resources, ability, or scope ("a limited menu", "limited experience"). Bounded is much more technical and is mainly found in mathematics, physics, and philosophy to describe something enclosed by a boundary in space or number ("a bounded region on a graph"). Restricted carries the sense of an externally imposed limit or rule ("a restricted area", "restricted access"), whereas finite describes a natural or inherent boundary rather than one set by a rule. For example: "Our time is limited" (everyday) vs. "Our time is finite" (slightly more formal, emphasising the natural limit of life). "The garden is bounded by a wall" (physical boundary) vs. "The garden has a finite size" (inherent limit).

limited ↗boundedrestricted

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

  • truly finite
  • necessarily finite
  • inherently finite

Phrases

  • finite in size
  • finite in number
  • finite in duration

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Finite entered English in the late Middle Ages, taken from the Latin word finitus (past participle of finire — to limit or set boundaries), which in turn comes from finis (end, boundary, limit). The core idea of 'having an end or a limit' has stayed with the word ever since. The grammatical sense developed later, based on the idea that a finite verb is 'limited' because it changes form according to tense, person, and number, unlike the unchanging infinitive.