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.
A spoonful of finely chopped chipotles in adobo follows, along with black beans and fire-roasted corn, available in the freezer section of the supermarket.
From Salon • May 19, 2026
I have a finely tuned Twitter algorithm that surfaces any kind of drama on the right really quickly.
From Slate • May 7, 2026
But 2019 world champion Trump made a superb break of 115 in the last frame of the session to leave the match finely poised before the second session on Sunday afternoon.
From BBC • Apr. 25, 2026
"Reefs are finely tuned 3D systems. Their shape controls who lives, who dies and how fast the reef grows."
From Science Daily • Apr. 6, 2026
A large, finely woven bamboo basket as tall as Minli’s waist stood next to the chairs.
From "Where the Mountain Meets the Moon" by Grace Lin
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.
