refinement

[ ri-fahyn-muhnt ]

noun

1. fineness or elegance of feeling, taste, manners, language, etc.
2. an instance of refined refined feeling, manners, etc.
3. the act or process of refining.
4. the quality or state of being refined. refined.
5. a subtle point or distinction.
6. subtle reasoning.
7. an improved, higher, or extreme form of something:

   a refinement of the old system.

8. Mathematics. a set whose elements include the elements of a given set.

refinement

/ rɪˈfaɪnmənt /

noun

1. the act of refining or the state of being refined
2. a fine or delicate point, distinction, or expression; a subtlety
3. fineness or precision of thought, expression, manners, etc; polish or cultivation
4. a device, change, adaptation, etc, designed to improve performance or increase efficiency

Other Words From

• nonre·finement noun
• prere·finement noun
• self-re·finement noun
• super·re·finement noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of refinement¹

First recorded in 1605–15; refine + -ment

Example Sentences

It’s important to note, though, that the expansions for URLs, apps and places are in fact expansions rather than refinements — these are OR commands rather than AND commands.

From Search Engine Land

With a little more refinement, these apps and devices could be just as useful to wheelchair users as they are to the general population.

From FiveThirtyEight

Some researchers praised Neuralink’s work as showing significant refinement to existing technology.

From Fortune

While the Expedition doesn’t have the same level of refinement inside, it certainly has plenty of room.

From Washington Blade

In some cases, these are tactical decisions, the result of hours of market research and focus groups and refinement.

From FiveThirtyEight

Back in the USA, returning veterans found that the middle class had adopted the piano as a sign of refinement.

From The Daily Beast

This was the world of Gustave H. our narrator assumes, one of refinement, poise, and impeccable service.

From The Daily Beast

He's someone with huge potential, in line with the spirit of Vuitton - creative audacity with extreme refinement.

From The Daily Beast

They are the epitome of old-school rationality and refinement—or at least they were until now.

From The Daily Beast

In this instance, the Ngram data offer a refinement, not a revelation.

From The Daily Beast

He professed both to abominate and despise all mystery, refinement, and intrigue, either in a prince or a minister.

From Project Gutenberg

It is a further refinement when the staunch little lover of liberty sets about "easing" the pressure of commands.

From Project Gutenberg

We merely tell thus much to account for her position and her partial refinement—both of which conditions she shared with Susan.

From Project Gutenberg

Joseph Guarnerius appears to have endeavoured to produce the grandest tone, combining majesty and refinement.

From Project Gutenberg

The Connecticut tobacco grower is in all respects a man of genuine refinement and nobility of soul.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• delicacy
• dignity
• elegance
• erudition
• finesse
• grace
• graciousness
• nicety
• nuance
• precision
• sophistication
• subtlety
• tact