finalize
fi·nal·ize
verb \ˈfī-nə-ˌlīz\fi·nal·izedfi·nal·iz·ing
Definition of FINALIZE
transitive verb
1
: to put in final or finished form <soon my conclusion will be finalized — D. D. Eisenhower>
2
: to give final approval to <finalizing the papers prepared … by his staff — Newsweek>
— fi·nal·i·za·tion \ˌfī-nə-lə-ˈzā-shən\ noun
See Usage Discussion of FINALIZE
Finalize has been frequently castigated as an unnecessary neologism or as United States government gobbledygook. It appears to have first gained currency in Australia (where it has been acceptable all along) in the early 1920s. The United States Navy picked it up in the late 20s, and from there it came into widespread use. It is a standard formation (see -ize ). Currently, it is most frequently used in government and business dealings; it usually is not found in belles-lettres.
Examples of FINALIZE
- They are finalizing their divorce this week.
- We bought our tickets and finalized our vacation plans.
First Known Use of FINALIZE
1901
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