finesse

[ fi-ness ]

/ fɪˈnɛss /

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See synonyms for: finesse / finessing on Thesaurus.com

noun

extreme delicacy or subtlety in action, performance, skill, discrimination, taste, etc.

skill in handling a difficult or highly sensitive situation; adroit and artful management: exceptional diplomatic finesse.

a trick, artifice, or stratagem.

Bridge, Whist. an attempt to win a trick with a card while holding a higher card not in sequence with it, in the hope that the card or cards between will not be played.

verb (used without object), fi·nessed, fi·ness·ing.

to use finesse or artifice.

to make a finesse at cards.

verb (used with object), fi·nessed, fi·ness·ing.

to bring about by finesse or artifice.

to avoid; circumvent.

to make a finesse with (a card).

to force the playing of (a card) by a finesse.

OTHER WORDS FOR finesse

1, 2 tact, diplomacy, savoir faire, circumspection, sensitivity, sensibility.

See synonyms for finesse on Thesaurus.com

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Origin of finesse

1400–50; late Middle English: degree of excellence or purity <Middle French <Vulgar Latin *fīnitia.See fine¹, -ice

Words nearby finesse

fine print, finer, finery, fines herbes, finespun, finesse, finest, finestra, fine structure, fine-tooth comb, fine-tune

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use finesse in a sentence

With three easy-to-adjust focusing distances, this camera can capture close-up portraits of friends hanging around the campfire, medium-range objects between three and six feet away, and long-range landscape photos with equal finesse.
These Are the Best Instant-Film Cameras|agintzler|July 25, 2021|Outside Online
One of the best surfers to grace the sport, Gilmore, like Florence, is blessed with an uncanny ability to surf with the same level of power and finesse, no matter how big or small the waves.
Everything You Need to Know About Surfing in the Olympics|mskenazy|July 24, 2021|Outside Online
If you’re starting from square one, however, you’ll likely want to take advantage of its auto-leveling and equalization, which requires a few more connections, a handful of software installations, and just a bit of finesse.
Shure MV7 Podcast Microphone review: Production-ready sound, minimal setup required|Billy Cadden|June 24, 2021|Popular-Science
Carter is at his best causing havoc in front of the net, a perfect complement to the finesse game of Sidney Crosby and another net-front presence to take some of the pressure off Jake Guentzel.
How the NHL’s trade deadline shapes the East Division’s playoff race|Neil Greenberg|April 16, 2021|Washington Post

As with any move that relies on some sort of finesse, there’s a fine line between punishing opponents and bailing them out.
Can Ben Simmons Find A Balance With His Hook Shot?|Yaron Weitzman|March 25, 2021|FiveThirtyEight
He affected an anchorman finesse in apologizing for “past mistakes” as a Ku Klux Klan leader.
The Louisiana Racists Who Courted Steve Scalise|Jason Berry|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The best whiskies are made with finesse and the same attention to detail and mindfulness as the finest teas or sushi.
Watch Out, Scotland! Japanese Whisky Is on the Rise|Kayleigh Kulp|November 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A lot of Republican candidates are trying to finesse the establishment-Tea Party Maginot Line and be both things to all people.
The Tea Party Is Dead? Nah, That’s Just a Flesh Wound|Michael Tomasky|May 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Whereas the first three seasons were subtle, there is a decided lack of finesse here.
‘Arrested Development’: Why Netflix’s Revival Failed|Jace Lacob|May 27, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Phoenix conveys the ambiguities of his character with great finesse.
Cannes Diary: James Gray’s ‘The Immigrant,’ Starring Marion Cotillard, Shines|Richard Porton|May 25, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The same game of finesse was played at his own table; for there De Patinos had for some time assumed an air of civility.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4|Jane Porter
Yet the word vagrant is a misnomer in this city, where economy has reached a finesse that is marvelous.
The Real Latin Quarter|F. Berkeley Smith
His action was simply the action of a strong, business-like, and patriotic man, forgetful of finesse.
King Robert the Bruce|A. F. Murison
A servant full of finesse and irreproachable in appearance, he was of the greatest service to his master.
Repertory Of The Comedie Humaine, Complete, A -- Z|Anatole Cerfberr and Jules Franois Christophe
With much finesse Duret showed this young woman the character of M. de la Baudraye in its true light.
Repertory Of The Comedie Humaine, Complete, A -- Z|Anatole Cerfberr and Jules Franois Christophe

British Dictionary definitions for finesse

finesse

/ (fɪˈnɛs) /

noun

elegant skill in style or performance

subtlety and tact in handling difficult situations

bridge whist an attempt to win a trick when opponents hold a high card in the suit led by playing a lower card, hoping the opponent who has already played holds the missing card

a trick, artifice, or strategy

verb

to manage or bring about with finesse

to play (a card) as a finesse

Word Origin for finesse

C15: from Old French, from fin fine, delicate; see fine 1

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

finesse

OTHER WORDS FOR finesse

Origin of finesse

Words nearby finesse

Words related to finesse

How to use finesse in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for finesse

Word Origin for finesse