OTHER WORDS FOR fine
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Question 1 of 7
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Idioms about fine
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 of fine
1First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English ffyn, fin, fyin, from Anglo-French, Old French, from Medieval Latin finus “pure, fine,” from Latin fīnis “end, utmost limit, highest point” (as in fīnis bonōrum et malōrum “the highest good and evil”)
synonym study for fine
1. 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.
Words nearby fine
Other definitions for fine (2 of 4)
fine2
[ fahyn ]
/ faɪn /
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), fined, fin·ing.
to subject to a fine or pecuniary penalty; punish by a fine: The judge fined him and released him on parole.
Origin of fine
2First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English fin, from Anglo-French, Old French, from Latin fīnis “end,” Medieval Latin: “settlement, payment”
Other definitions for fine (3 of 4)
fine3
[ fee-ney ]
/ ˈfi neɪ /
noun Music.
the end of a repeated section, whether da capo or dal segno.
the end of a composition that consists of several movements.
Origin of fine
3First recorded in 1790–1800; from Italian, from Latin fīnis “end”
Other definitions for fine (4 of 4)
fine4
[ feen ]
/ fin /
noun
ordinary French brandy, usually with no indication of the maker's name or location.
Origin of fine
4First recorded in 1920–25; short for French fine (champagne) de la maison “bar brandy”; cf. Fine Champagne
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use fine in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for fine (1 of 4)
fine1
/ (faɪn) /
adjective
adverb
verb
Word Origin for fine
C13: from Old French fin, from Latin fīnis end, boundary, as in fīnis honōrum the highest degree of honour
British Dictionary definitions for fine (2 of 4)
fine2
/ (faɪn) /
noun
a certain amount of money exacted as a penaltya parking fine
a payment made by a tenant at the start of his tenancy to reduce his subsequent rent; premium
feudal law a sum of money paid by a man to his lord, esp for the privilege of transferring his land to another
a method of transferring land in England by bringing a fictitious law suit: abolished 1833
in fine
- in short; briefly
- in conclusion; finally
verb
(tr) to impose a fine on
Word Origin for fine
C12 (in the sense: conclusion, settlement): from Old French fin; see fine 1
British Dictionary definitions for fine (3 of 4)
fine3
/ (ˈfiːneɪ) /
noun music
the point at which a piece is to end, usually after a da capo or dal segno
an ending or finale
Word Origin for fine
Italian, from Latin fīnis end
British Dictionary definitions for fine (4 of 4)
fine4
/ French (fin) /
noun
brandy of ordinary quality
Word Origin for fine
literally: fine
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Other Idioms and Phrases with fine
fine
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.