fine print

American  

[fahyn] / faɪn /

noun

1. printed matter in small-sized type.

2. the detailed wording of a contract, lease, insurance policy, or the like, often set in type smaller than the main body of the document and including general restrictions or qualifications that could be considered disadvantageous.

   Make sure you read the fine print before signing.

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fine print British  

noun

1. Also called: small print.  matter set in small type, as in a contract, esp considered as containing unfavourable conditions that the signer might overlook

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Other Word Forms

• fine-print adjective

Etymology

Origin of fine print

First recorded in 1955–60

Example Sentences

Still, even though the fine print is awaited, the deal announced Monday is an important signal that the India-U.

From The Wall Street Journal

I study the fine print of each airline’s policies about purchasing another seat “for comfort.”

From Los Angeles Times

A note about Ives’ role on the company’s advisory board appeared in fine print at the end of the interview.

From Barron's

Two California shoppers say Costco mislead customers nationwide by prominently advertising its rotisserie chicken as containing no preservatives, while discreetly listing two added preservatives — sodium phosphate and carrageenan — in fine print in the ingredient list.

From Los Angeles Times

The main sticking points were access to India's automobile market, agriculture goods and carbon-linked tariffs - and analysts will be reading the fine print to see what the final agreement says on these issues.

From BBC