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fine

[fahyn]

Example Sentences Origin

adjective

of superior or best quality; of high or highest grade: fine wine.

choice, excellent, or admirable: a fine painting.

consisting of minute particles: fine sand; a fine purée.

very thin or slender: fine thread.

keen or sharp, as a tool: Is the knife fine enough to carve well?

EXPAND

delicate in texture; filmy: fine cotton fabric.

delicately fashioned: fine tracery.

highly skilled or accomplished: a fine musician.

trained to the maximum degree, as an athlete.

10.

characterized by or affecting refinement or elegance: a fine lady.

11.

polished or refined: fine manners.

12.

affectedly ornate or elegant: A style so fine repels the average reader.

13.

delicate or subtle: a fine distinction.

14.

bright and clear: a fine day; fine skin.

15.

healthy; well: In spite of his recent illness, he looks fine.

16.

showy or smart; elegant in appearance: a bird of fine plumage.

17.

good-looking or handsome: a fine young man.

18.

(of a precious metal or its alloy) free from impurities or containing a large amount of pure metal: fine gold; Sterling silver is 92.5 percent fine.

COLLAPSE

adverb

19.

Informal. in an excellent manner; very well: He did fine on the exams. She sings fine.

20.

very small: She writes so fine I can hardly read it.

21.

Billiards, Pool. in such a way that the driven ball barely touches the object ball in passing.

22.

Nautical. as close as possible to the wind: sailing fine.

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Fine is one of our favorite verbs.

So is fletcherise. Does it mean:

to swindle, cheat, hoodwink, or hoax.

to chew (food) slowly and thoroughly.

LEARN MORE FUN, UNUSUAL VERBS WITH WORD DYNAMO...

verb (used without object)

23.

to become fine or finer, as by refining.

24.

to become less, as in size or proportions; reduce; diminish (often followed by down): The plumpness fines down with exercise.

verb (used with object)

25.

to make fine or finer, especially by refining or pulverizing.

26.

to reduce the size or proportions of (often used with down or away): to fine down the heavy features; to fine away superfluous matter in a design.

27.

to clarify (wines or spirits) by filtration.

noun

28.

fines,

Mining. crushed ore sufficiently fine to pass through a given screen. Compare short (def. 29e).

Agriculture. the fine bits of corn kernel knocked off during handling of the grain.

Idiom

29.

cut fine, to calculate precisely, especially without allowing for possible error or accident: To finish in ten minutes is to cut it too fine.

Origin:
1250–1300; Middle English fin < Anglo-French, Old French < Latin fīnis end, utmost limit, highest point

Synonyms
1. finished, consummate, perfect; select. Fine, choice, elegant, exquisite are terms of praise with reference to quality. Fine is a general term: a fine horse, person, book. Choice implies a discriminating selection of the object in question: a choice piece of steak. Elegant suggests a refined and graceful superiority that is generally associated with luxury and a cultivated taste: elegant furnishings. Exquisite suggests an admirable delicacy, finish, or perfection: an exquisite piece of lace. 3. powdered, pulverized. 5. acute.

Antonyms
1. inferior.

Example Sentences

He's been a slightly above-average hitter over his career and plays a fine outfield.

The fine print of its stated practices notes that in some cases, material is completely spiked from the record.

Espresso coffee requires as much technology and taste as fine wine.

EXPAND

He's been a slightly above-average hitter over his career and plays a fine outfield.

The fine print of its stated practices notes that in some cases, material is completely spiked from the record.

Espresso coffee requires as much technology and taste as fine wine.

Mazes provide a fun way to practice fine motor skills that your child will need when learning to write.

None of the companies have released a statement about the case or the fine.

Disappear from your desk for a coffee run or a smoke break---that's fine.

Most tasters found it unsuitable for drinking but fine for cooking.

If you want to give a one-sentence summary of your interests and your qualifications, that's fine.

The park is a particularly fine place for beginners to learn in a safe yet scenic environment.

She taught calligraphy and still displays a fine italic hand.

Parrotfish ingest coral and rock as they graze on algae, and excrete the sediment as fine sand.

Press eggs through a fine strainer to make a pretty garnish for spinach salad.

Oh and washing with plain everyday soap and water is fine.

One of the city's oldest cafés, noted for its fine cakes and pastries.

The researchers say the ochre was probably rubbed on quartzite slabs to create a fine powder.

Great introduction to sparkling wine, and a fine photo gallery.

Someone once approached me at a bar and announced she'd set out to get me with a fine tooth comb.

During more conventional breeding blacktips offer scientists a fine opportunity for observation.

Not to put too fine a point on it, but so is everything else.

Fences are fine between neighboring properties, as far as they go.

The word eventually transformed to porcelain to describe fine pottery.

Its conclusion, for public consumption, was that everything was fine.

All fine and dandy, if you're in the mood for a splash.

Fine trails run from southwest to northeast across here.

Such concentrated packets not only make good eating but also make a fine ingredient in savory dishes.

The scientists who worship at the altar of science are doing a fine job of destroying our world.

Stems and foliage thickly covered with fine white hairs.

On dry days, this does not happen and everything works fine.

When you approach the pictures, you are able to see all the fine detail, and so the sisters seem to look straight ahead.

The silcrete found at archaeological sites was glossy with a fine grain and a reddish color.

The twinkling of the stars is fine for nursery rhymes and poets but much less charming for astronomers.

Another new trick magnifies fine details normally invisible to lenses.

Soil should be fine enough for root development and loose enough so crusting can't check sprouting of seeds.

And it's doing a fine job of proving there's life left in this market.

Its information office promises nine miles of pristine sand, fine dining.

Captivated by the beauty of moths, an artist transforms these backyard fliers into fine art.

Turns out it makes a mighty fine fuel feedstock, too.

Truly, a bachelor's degree is fine for working as an admission counselor.

Eyjafjallajokull is particularly prone to producing the fine ash that has caused the current mayhem.

Not to put too fine a point on it, but space is filthy.

Humans have harnessed this fine canine sense for sniffing out.

Our changing exhibits represent a diverse range of subjects from fine arts to history to natural sciences.

The desert rose color of the fine gravel makes the path stand out from the coarser gray gravel mulch around it, inviting you.

What he leaves behind is a catalog of amazing old-school gadgetry that'll keep his eBay store in fine.

If you don't pay your library fine then your university can genuinely withhold your degree as a result.

The sheer size of the fine had an element of grandstanding about.

There's a fine balance between traveling light and traveling right, particularly for.

And unless they pay attention to the fine print, they may not even know they're doing good.

Timing and grill-temperature control are fine if all your.

When the interview is scheduled, it's fine to ask who the interviewers will be.

Chuckling over it the next day, he said the economy was in fine shape.

The chairs' square shapes and large scale contrast with the garden's fine foliage.

Leica sure makes some fine cameras, and some even better lenses.

As the saying goes, when it comes to training hard, there's a fine line between tough and stupid.

He has done a fine job, so keeping him longer would be no tragedy.

From the edge of the lawn, steps go down to a fine sand beach, almost to the water when the level's up.

Scented geraniums make fine summer guests in herb gardens.

As is obvious from the replies here some people think it would be fine while others would scoff at.

He was as punctilious about his honour, as fine a horseman and as deep in debt as any of them.

Some are made of fine wool while others are composed of homespun yarn.

Castor i'm not sure why the author of this fine article would omit that piece of information.

It's a8-mile hike to a footbridge with a fine view of this lovely waterfall.

As someone else wrote, as long as they complement the outfit, then you should be fine.

All that sounds fine in theory, but coming up with a rigorous and clear policy on climate change will be tricky.

Plus: time-savers for travelers, payoffs for procrastinators, and the fine art of the instant escape.

So if you're in a rich country, you're fine and happy.

Put them in a fine strainer and rinse with cold water.

There are some who create problems and others who are fine.

The restrictions were also widely flouted by those who could afford a fine or a bribe to pay for extra children.

Fine particles gather in the areas of lowest gravity, creating patches that look smooth from afar.

The fine particles also aggravate heart and lung diseases.

Transfer ramekins to plates and rub powdered sugar through a fine sieve onto soufflés.

If you stick to bottled water and avoid ice and raw fruit and veg, you should generally be fine for a short trip.

And it is, not to put too fine a point upon the matter, obscene.

The going was smooth for them, and the weather was fine.

For example, scientific illustration is not fine art:.

Soot is made up of fine black carbon particles that are formed by incomplete combustion.

Everything will be fine if the pilot follows the commands in that.

And junipers, with their lovely fine textures, fit right in with that way of thinking.

To follow the guidance of national mental-health experts is to walk a fine line.

Wenban-Smith says flint tools discovered near the elephant skeleton were preserved by fine layers of lake sediments.

Expressing amazement is fine and could even be inspirational to some.

He was an after thought or an accident, but he came out fine.

Bighorn sheep are famous for their spiral horns and fine footwork.

The consensus seems to be: look sharp and you'll be fine.

Scientists can see veins from the wings and fine bumps covering its surface.

Ending off with a a fine and entertaining write up on the process of water reclamation.

One route points wine lovers to fine dining and wineries.

Vehicles running on diesel fuel release fine particulate matter and elemental carbon-also known as black carbon.

Just vacuum daily and wash the bedding and upholstery regularly and you should be fine.

We were also told it was depression from the surgery, and when he got home and in familiar surroundings he would be fine.

His fine and gross motor skills have always developed earlier and stronger than his peers.

She explains that full-pressure suits are fine for spacewalks because leg movement is less necessary.

These sturdy and laminated maps combine fine detail with fascinating and practical travel information.

CDs are fine things for listening to and archiving, but they're bulky.

COLLAPSE

Dictionary.com Unabridged

noun

a sum of money imposed as a penalty for an offense or dereliction: a parking fine.

Law. a fee paid by a feudal tenant to the landlord, as on the renewal of tenure.

English Law. (formerly) a conveyance of land through decree of a court, based upon a simulated lawsuit.

Archaic. a penalty of any kind.

verb (used with object)

to subject to a fine or pecuniary penalty; punish by a fine: The judge fined him and released him on parole.

Idiom

in fine,

in short; briefly.

in conclusion; finally: It was, in fine, a fitting end to the story.

Origin:
1150–1200; Middle English fin < Anglo-French, Old French < Latin fīnis end, Medieval Latin: settlement, payment

noun Music.

the end of a repeated section, whether da capo or dal segno.

the end of a composition that comprises several movements.

Origin:
1790–1800; < Italian < Latin fīnis end

noun

ordinary French brandy, usually with no indication of the maker's name or location.

Origin:
1920–25; short for French fine (champagne) de la maison bar brandy. Compare Fine Champagne

Link To fine

Collins

World English Dictionary

fine¹ (faɪn)

—*adj*
1.	excellent or choice in quality; very good of its kind: a fine speech
2.	superior in skill, ability, or accomplishment: a fine violinist
3.	(of weather) clear and dry
4.	enjoyable or satisfying: a fine time
5.	informal (postpositive) quite well; in satisfactory health: I feel fine
6.	satisfactory; acceptable: that's fine by me
7.	of delicate composition or careful workmanship: fine crystal
8.	(of precious metals) pure or having a high or specified degree of purity: fine silver; gold 98 per cent fine
9.	subtle in perception; discriminating: a fine eye for antique brasses
10.	abstruse or subtle: a fine point in argument
11.	very thin or slender: fine hair
12.	very small: fine dust; fine print
13.	(of edges, blades, etc) sharp; keen
14.	ornate, showy, or smart
15.	good-looking; handsome: a fine young woman
16.	polished, elegant, or refined: a fine gentleman
17.	morally upright and commendable: a fine man
18.	cricket (of a fielding position) oblique to and behind the wicket: fine leg
19.	informal (prenominal) disappointing or terrible: a fine mess

—*adv*
20.	informal quite well; all right: that suits me fine
21.	a nonstandard word for finely
22.	billiards, snooker (of a stroke on the cue ball) so as to merely brush the object ball
23.	cut it fine to allow little margin of time, space, etc

—vb (often foll by down or away) (foll by up)
24.	to make or become finer; refine
25.	to make or become smaller
26.	(tr) to clarify (wine, etc) by adding finings
27.	(tr) billiards, snooker to hit (a cue ball) fine
28.	informal (Austral), (NZ) (of the weather) to become fine

[C13: from Old French fin, from Latin fīnis end, boundary, as in fīnis honōrum the highest degree of honour]

fine² (faɪn)

—n
1.	a certain amount of money exacted as a penalty: a parking fine
2.	a payment made by a tenant at the start of his tenancy to reduce his subsequent rent; premium
3.	feudal law a sum of money paid by a man to his lord, esp for the privilege of transferring his land to another
4.	a method of transferring land in England by bringing a fictitious law suit: abolished 1833
5.	in fine
	a. in short; briefly
	b. in conclusion; finally

—vb
6.	(tr) to impose a fine on

[C12 (in the sense: conclusion, settlement): from Old French fin; see fine¹]

fine³ (ˈfiːneɪ)

—n
1.	the point at which a piece is to end, usually after a da capo or dal segno
2.	an ending or finale

[Italian, from Latin fīnis end]

fine⁴ (fin)

—n
	brandy of ordinary quality

[literally: fine]

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source

Etymonline

Word Origin & History

fine

c.1300, from O.Fr. fin "perfected, of highest quality," from L. finis "end, limit" (see finish); hence "acme, peak, height," as in finis boni "the highest good." In French, the main meaning remains "delicate, intricately skillful;" in English since mid-15c. fine is also a

EXPAND

general expression of admiration or approval, the equivalent of Fr. beau (cf. fine arts, 1767, translating Fr. beaux-arts). Related: Finely; finer; finest. Fine print "qualifications and limitations of a deal" first recorded 1960. Fine-tune (v.) is 1969, a back-formation from fine-tuning (1924), originally in reference to radio receivers.

fine

c.1200, "termination," from O.Fr. fin "end," from M.L. finis "a payment in settlement, fine or tax," from L. finis "end" (see finish). Modern meaning is via sense of "sum of money paid for exemption from punishment or to compensate for injury" (mid-14c., from the same sense

in Anglo-Fr., late 13c.) and from phrases such as to make fine "make one's peace, settle a matter" (c.1300). Meaning "sum of money imposed as penalty for some offense" is first recorded 1520s. The verb (c.1300) originally meant "pay as a ransom or penalty;" inverted meaning "to punish by a fine" is from 1550s. Related: Fined; fining.

COLLAPSE

American Heritage

Idioms & Phrases

fine

In addition to the idioms beginning with fine, also see come on in (the water's fine); cut it fine; in fine feather.