finesse

[fi-ness]

noun

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

   Synonyms: sensibility, sensitivity, circumspection, diplomacy, tact

2. skill in handling a difficult or highly sensitive situation; adroit and artful management.

   exceptional diplomatic finesse.

   Synonyms: sensibility, sensitivity, circumspection, diplomacy, tact

3. a trick, artifice, or stratagem.

4. 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)

finessed, finessing 

1. to use finesse or artifice.

2. to make a finesse at cards.

verb (used with object)

finessed, finessing 

1. to bring about by finesse or artifice.

2. to avoid; circumvent.

3. to make a finesse with (a card).

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

finesse

/ fɪˈnɛs /

noun

1. elegant skill in style or performance

2. subtlety and tact in handling difficult situations

3. 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

4. a trick, artifice, or strategy

verb

1. to manage or bring about with finesse

2. to play (a card) as a finesse

Word History and Origins

Origin of finesse¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English: “degree of excellence or purity,” from Middle French, from fin fine ¹ + -esse -ice

Word History and Origins

Origin of finesse¹

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

Example Sentences

They are seemingly unaware that a 21st century autocracy is best achieved with cunning and finesse.

From Salon

They won the ball back four or five times high up the pitch and, with a bit more finesse in those counter-attacks, they could have scored themselves.

From BBC

A towering outside hitter, he was known for his ability to vacillate between power and finesse.

From Los Angeles Times

Hamas and its supporters have undeniably genocidal intentions toward Israeli Jews, however those may occasionally be finessed; it doesn’t help the Palestinian cause to evade or sugarcoat that fact.

From Salon

One writer described it as a "masterpiece" and went on to say he thought the band had discovered a newfound sense of finesse and maturity.

From BBC

Related Words

• acumen 
• competence 
• guile 
• quickness www.thesaurus.com
• savvy 
• skill 
• sophistication 
• subtlety 
• tact