finesse

American  

[fi-ness] / fɪˈnɛss /

noun

1. extreme delicacy or subtlety in action, performance, skill, discrimination, taste, etc.

   Synonyms:

   sensibility, sensitivity, circumspection, diplomacy, tact

2. skill in handling a difficult or highly sensitive situation; adroit and artful management.

   exceptional diplomatic finesse.

   Synonyms:

   sensibility, sensitivity, circumspection, diplomacy, tact

3. a trick, artifice, or stratagem.

4. Bridge, Whist. an attempt to win a trick with a card while holding a higher card not in sequence with it, in the hope that the card or cards between will not be played.

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verb (used without object)

finessed, finessing

1. to use finesse or artifice.

2. to make a finesse at cards.

verb (used with object)

finessed, finessing

1. to bring about by finesse or artifice.

2. to avoid; circumvent.

3. to make a finesse with (a card).

4. to force the playing of (a card) by a finesse.

finesse British  

/ fɪˈnɛs /

noun

1. elegant skill in style or performance

2. subtlety and tact in handling difficult situations

3. bridge whist an attempt to win a trick when opponents hold a high card in the suit led by playing a lower card, hoping the opponent who has already played holds the missing card

4. a trick, artifice, or strategy

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verb

1. to manage or bring about with finesse

2. to play (a card) as a finesse

Etymology

Origin of finesse

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English: “degree of excellence or purity,” from Middle French, from fin fine ¹ + -esse -ice

Explanation

Having finesse means you can handle difficult situations with diplomacy and tact, like the finesse it takes to help two friends work out their differences — without taking sides or alienating either one. Finesse is having grace under pressure. It's handling the rantings of an angry customer with a smile and a calm tone. Someone who has finesse says the right thing at the right time — or knows when to say nothing at all. Finesse looks like fineness and in fact comes from the Middle French word that means exactly that — delicate in nature. People with finesse can handle anything — with a delicate approach that really works.

Example Sentences

Greg Ward, director of the Financial Wellness Think Tank at El Segundo-based Financial Finesse, said it’s also a good idea to talk to your employer about benefits that it might offer student-loan borrowers.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 30, 2023

Details of the investment were not released, though Financial Finesse Ventures said their typical investment ranges from $500,0000 to $1.5 million for a minority stake.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 14, 2022

Finesse, more than fury, is key to these annual matchups.

From Washington Times • Sep. 28, 2019

His adoration for the decade is on full display in the fun and funky video for Finesse, which riffs on the opening titles to iconic 90s sketch show In Living Color.

From BBC • Aug. 19, 2018

Finesse would not be needed, subtlety would be lost, with Blaney, and so Mr. McNally was prepared to talk bluntly.

From The Short Line War by Merwin-Webster

Related Words

• acumen
• competence
• guile
• quickness
• savvy
• skill
• sophistication
• subtlety
• tact