finishing school

noun

: a private school for girls that emphasizes cultural studies and prepares students especially for social activities

Examples of finishing school 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.
Michigan is not a finishing school for polite young men and women. — Paula Wethington, CBS News, 4 May 2026 There is a reason why preparatory schools and finishing schools emerged. — Ray Ravaglia, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026 That is often billed as a finishing school for footballing talent, but graduates inevitably remain rough around the edges. — Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 13 May 2026 After wrapping up their joint role as Carrie, the sisters decided to retire from acting to focus on finishing school. — Kelly Martinez, Entertainment Weekly, 12 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for finishing school

Word History

First Known Use

1832, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of finishing school was in 1832

Rhymes for finishing school

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Browse Nearby Words

finishing room
finishing school
finishing stove
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Cite this Entry

“Finishing school.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/finishing%20school. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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