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.
Gill's agent Mel Kenyon said his work had a "rare emotional delicacy" that was "beautifully observed and finely tuned".
From BBC ● Aug. 4, 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
Note: Very finely diced pancetta should cook through alongside the eggs.
From Salon ● Jul. 20, 2026
A summary of the panel's decision said the panel "concluded in a finely balanced decision" that Pearson met the test for release.
From BBC ● Jun. 30, 2026
He could tell, even at a touch, that this fabric was finely made, no doubt tailored by the city’s best.
From "Beasts of Prey" by Ayana Gray
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.
