refine
Americanverb (used with object)
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to bring to a fine or a pure state; free from impurities.
to refine metal, sugar, or petroleum.
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to purify from what is coarse, vulgar, or debasing; make elegant or cultured.
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to bring to a finer state or form by purifying.
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to make more fine, subtle, or precise.
to refine one's writing style.
verb (used without object)
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to become pure.
The silver is refining in the furnace.
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to become more fine, elegant, or polished.
His parents hope that his manners will refine as he gets older.
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to make fine distinctions in thought or language.
verb phrase
verb
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to make or become free from impurities, sediment, or other foreign matter; purify
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(tr) to separate (a mixture) into pure constituents, as in an oil refinery
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to make or become free from coarse characteristics; make or become elegant or polished
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to remove (something impure or extraneous)
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(intr; often foll by on or upon) to enlarge or improve (upon) by making subtle or fine distinctions
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(tr) to make (language) more subtle or polished
Other Word Forms
- prerefine verb (used with object)
- refinable adjective
- refiner noun
- self-refining adjective
- superrefine verb (used with object)
- unrefining adjective
Etymology
Origin of refine
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Those galaxy shape measurements help scientists refine estimates of how mass is spread through the universe and how dark energy behaves.
From Science Daily
These results may prompt scientists to revisit assumptions about other icy worlds and refine how they search for life on Titan.
From Science Daily
Some of the prompts used by the participants included asking AI to summarise essay questions, track down sources as well as refine grammar and style.
From BBC
This, it seems to me, is this Corvette to have, if you are only having one—the least taxing, most refined and versatile version of the formula.
“The cheapest way to build your defense is to actually hit it with the best offense and refine it,” Mandia said.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
