finely
Americanadverb
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in a fine manner; excellently; elegantly; delicately; nicely; minutely; subtly.
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in fine particles or pieces.
finely chopped onions.
adverb
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into small pieces; minutely
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precisely or subtly
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splendidly or delicately
Etymology
Origin of finely
First recorded in 1275–1325; from Middle English word fineliche; see fine 1, -ly
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.
Positioning risks within the Nasdaq and Russell are more finely balanced, reflecting a less extensive short base and more neutral aggregate exposure, according to Chew.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 11, 2026
Two-tenths of a percent is a rounding error on a rounding error, and I wouldn’t bet against a stadium full of Iraqis and Norwegians sorting one another more finely to clear it.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 24, 2026
For more heat, add a spoon of chili crisp and finely chopped green chilis.
From Salon ● Jul. 19, 2026
The human body is often described as a marvel of “perfect design”: elegant, efficient and finely tuned for its purpose.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 11, 2026
They had restored the great chandelier, the gilt columns, the finely patterned wallpapers, installing screens where there had been stages.
From "Night Owls" by A.R. Vishny
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.
