finesse

American  

[fi-ness] / fɪˈnɛss /

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.

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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 British  

/ 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

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verb

1. to manage or bring about with finesse

2. to play (a card) as a finesse

Etymology

Origin of finesse

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

Explanation

Having finesse means you can handle difficult situations with diplomacy and tact, like the finesse it takes to help two friends work out their differences — without taking sides or alienating either one. Finesse is having grace under pressure. It's handling the rantings of an angry customer with a smile and a calm tone. Someone who has finesse says the right thing at the right time — or knows when to say nothing at all. Finesse looks like fineness and in fact comes from the Middle French word that means exactly that — delicate in nature. People with finesse can handle anything — with a delicate approach that really works.

Example Sentences

In their briefings, government lawyers finesse a sanitized version into a clean narrative of law-abiding responsibility.

From Slate • Feb. 18, 2026

Meanwhile, aerially, Zubimendi directs headers with a level of finesse, finding team-mates rather than simply looking to head the ball away.

From BBC • Feb. 15, 2026

Now Paul Weiss has an Epstein issue to finesse.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 6, 2026

Brooks points out that one way high-tech promoters finesse their exaggerated promises is through subtle redefinition.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 6, 2026

He was looking for finesse but I came after him with muscle.

From "Slam!" by Walter Dean Myers

Related Words

• acumen
• competence
• guile
• quickness
• savvy
• skill
• sophistication
• subtlety
• tact