Difference between Finish and Complete

Key difference: The words finish and complete means same, but differ slightly in their explanation contexts. The word ‘finish’ means anything which is just finish then that may relate to any part of an entire task or work. While, the word ‘complete’ means done with everything, which relates to the overall completion of any task or work.

The difference between the words, finish and complete is rarely found due to their similar meanings. But, though being similar in meanings these are different in their explanation and meanings. The below article gives a broader explanation of their meanings.

Finish The word finish refers to any thing or part that has finished, then that part may be a sub part or a small part from the entire thing or work. The word finish does not mean the completion of the entire thing; it refers to the accomplishment of that relevant thing or work.

For example:

To finish the homework

Here homework is a part of study or any content, so that part is accomplished not the entire subject or studies.

According to Dictionary.com:

Meaning of finish as a verb is:

to bring (something) to an end or to completion; complete
to come to the end of (a course, period of time, etc.)
to use completely (often followed by up or off)
to overcome completely; destroy or kill (often followed by off)
to complete and perfect in detail; put the final touches on (sometimes followed by up)
to put a finish on (wood, metal, etc.)
to perfect (a person) in education, accomplishments, social graces, etc
to come to an end
to complete a course, project, etc. (sometimes followed by up)

As a noun it means:

the end or conclusion; the final part or last stage.
the end of a hunt, race, etc.
a decisive ending
the quality of being finished or completed with smoothness, elegance, etc.
the manner in which an object is perfected or finished in its preparation, or an effect imparted in finishing
the surface coating or texture of wood, metal, etc.

Complete

The word ‘complete’ means the entire completion of the task or work. This relates to the total finishing of any work, means nothing left behind. Because, if something would have left behind then it would have been incomplete’ or ‘not complete’, hence the entire work done of any relevant task relates to the completion of that work.

For example:

He completed 50 runs in 25 balls.

Here it means the player did complete the entire task of completing the runs within the given balls. His work or task has been completed, nothing is left behind.

According to Dictionary.com:

Meaning of complete, as adjective means:

having all parts or elements; lacking nothing; whole; entire; full
finished; ended; concluded
having all the required or customary characteristics, skills, or the like; consummate; perfect in kind or quality
thorough; entire; total; undivided, uncompromised, or unmodified
having all modifying or complementary elements included

As a verb it means:

to consummate.
to bring to an end; finish
to make perfect
to make whole or entire

Comparison between Finish and Complete:

	Finish	Complete
According to Merriam Webster:	to reach the end of to be done with building or creating to cause something to end or stop	having all necessary parts not lacking anything not limited in any way
Origins of the word	1300–50; Middle English , from ‘finisshen’	1325–75; Middle English ( Middle French) Latin, from ‘complētus’
Forms	verb and noun	adjective and verb
Some Synonyms	accomplishment, defeat, ending, finale, achievement, acquirement, acquisition, annihilation, attainment, cease, cessation, etc.	entire, exhaustive, full outright, thorough, gross, integrated, replete, undocked, all, etc.
Some Antonyms	beginning, opening, start, birth, commencement, construction, creation, etc.	incomplete, defective, deficient, imperfect, lacking, missing, etc.
Examples	to finish schooling The year finishes in December.	a complete scholar Has he completed his new thesis yet?