fine print

American  

[fahyn] / faɪn /

noun

1. printed matter in small-sized type.

2. the detailed wording of a contract, lease, insurance policy, or the like, often set in type smaller than the main body of the document and including general restrictions or qualifications that could be considered disadvantageous.

   Make sure you read the fine print before signing.

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fine print British  

noun

1. Also called: small print.  matter set in small type, as in a contract, esp considered as containing unfavourable conditions that the signer might overlook

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Other Word Forms

• fine-print
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of fine print

First recorded in 1955–60

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

fine print

Even if your money is insured this way, it’s important to read the fine print: “FDIC pass-through insurance protects against the failure of a Program Bank, not the failure of PayPal,” the company’s website says.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 19, 2026

Buried in the fine print of its fare-category shake-up last week: The airline will now charge a $150 fee, up from $100.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 5, 2026

However, the fine print means little to fans who are out thousands in non-refundable travel.

From BBC ● Jul. 2, 2026

But in all cases, readers should check the fine print.

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 25, 2026

I pointed to the fine print, my palms getting sweaty even at this tiny amount of confrontation.

From "From Twinkle, with Love" by Sandhya Menon