fineness
Americannoun
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the state or quality of being fine.
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the proportion of pure precious metal in an alloy, often expressed in parts per thousand.
noun
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the state or quality of being fine
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a measurement of the purity of precious metal, expressed as the number of parts per thousand that is precious metal
Etymology
Origin of fineness
late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50; see origin at fine 1, -ness
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.
That said, a strength of Ms. Footer’s book is its fineness of detail.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 20, 2026
Any coin issued under the laws of any state or any gold, silver, platinum or palladium bullion of a certain fineness, if a trustee keeps physical possession of it, are not included.
From MarketWatch ● Nov. 25, 2025
The fineness yields tender baked goods with a moist, airy crumb—perfect for delicate sponges and pillowy cookies, like snickerdoodles.
From Salon ● Jun. 30, 2022
The simple, elegant set by Bill Clarke, all black-and-white Art Nouveau swirls and sheer curtains, suggests the fineness of taste that the writing requires.
From New York Times ● Jun. 22, 2021
The prospect of so idyllic an interim added to the inspired stealth with which he whetted his wire, filed it to a limber stiletto fineness.
From "In Cold Blood" by Truman Capote
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.
