3 syllables: fi, nish, es. Stress on fi.
/ˈfɪnɪʃɪz/
Say it backFinishes is the third-person singular present or plural noun form meaning completes or borders on; as a verb, it means to bring to conclusion or to apply a surface coating. Pronounced with a two-syllable structure in typical usage, the stress lands on the first syllable in verb forms (FIN-ishes) and on the first syllable of the noun when referring to coatings or surfaces (FIN-ishes). In connected speech, the final -es is pronounced as /ɪz/ or /əz/ depending on the preceding sound.
"She finishes her report before the deadline."
"The carpenter completes the project by finishes the final coat."
"The house has several finishes, including matte and gloss options."
Pronounce it as /ˈfɪ.nɪ.ʃɪz/ in US/UK/AU. The primary stress sits on the first syllable: FIN-; the middle syllable is a quick /nɪ/ and the final is a voiced /ʃɪz/ or /ʃɪz/ as a z-voicing. In connected speech, you may hear /ˈfɪnɪʃəz/ with a subtle schwa. Make sure the /ɪ/ in the second syllable is short, and the final /ɪz/ is voiced. Audio reference: listen to native speakers saying “finishes” in phrases like “finishes the project.”
Common errors: 1) Dropping the second syllable and saying FIN-ʃɪz or FIN-ɪʃes without the middle /n/; 2) Misplacing stress as on the second syllable (fi-NISH-es); 3) Pronouncing the final /ɪz/ as /əs/ or /z/ with no vowel. Correction: keep two clear vowel sounds: /ˈfɪ.nɪ.ʃɪz/ with a distinct /n/ between the first and second vowels, emphasize the first syllable, and ensure the final /ɪz/ is voiced with a light /z/ sound.
In all three accents, initial /fɪ/ is stable, but the second vowel can vary: US /ˈfɪ.nɪ.ʃɪz/ keeps a clear /ɪ/ in the middle; UK often keeps similar rhythm but may reduce the middle vowel more, producing /ˈfɪ.nɪ.ʃɪz/ with a slightly shorter vowels; AU tends to be similar but may have more reduced vowel durations in casual speech and a slightly more relaxed final /ɪz/. Overall rhotics don't alter the word substantially, though connected speech may alter vowel length and intonation.
The difficulty lies in the sequence of three weak-to-strong syllables and the final /ɪz/ sound after a consonant cluster. The center /nɪ/ can be swallowed in rapid speech, making it resemble FIN-ɪʃɪz without the /n/. The final /ɪz/ requires precise voicing to avoid a devoiced or clipped ending. Practice exaggerating the middle /n/ moment and ensure the final /ɪz/ is clearly voiced to avoid a halting finish.
A unique query could be: 'Is the final -es always pronounced /ɪz/ in finishes, or can it be /əz/ in rapid speech?' The answer: typically /ɪz/ after a /ʃ/ in the stem, but in rapid connected speech it can reduce toward /ɪz/ or even /əz/ depending on tempo and emphasis; nonetheless, careful speakers maintain /ɪz/ to keep the word distinct, especially in careful or written contexts.
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Finishes comes from the verb finish, dating back to the Old French finir, meaning to end, complete, or complete a border. The word entered English in the 14th century via Old French finir and Latin finis (end, boundary). The suffix -es as used here follows English morphology for third-person singular verbs (he finishes) and plural noun forms (the finishes), as well as the pluralized form of some words that form nouns with -ishes. Over time, the meaning expanded from “to end” to include “to complete a task” and, in the construction sense, “to apply a surface treatment.” The modern pronunciation emphasizes the first syllable in the common verb form FIN-ishes, with a light, unstressed second syllable. First known uses appear in Middle English texts where finish (verb) was used to denote completion or breaking point, and by the 17th century its sense of “apply surface decoration or coatings” emerged in crafts and manufacturing language. In contemporary usage, finishes refer to coatings or surface treatments, and the verb form is highly productive in everyday English as well as in professional jargon (e.g., carpentry, manufacturing, design).
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Words that rhyme with "finishes"
-hes sounds
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