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

Example Sentences

She was a strong digger but had no finesse, so he assigned her the task of building up the low ridge that kept the garden soggy when it rained.

From Literature

“Two years ago, the triumph of the Watergate mentality might have become similarly disastrous if those who planned and executed it had not been almost wholly lacking in political finesse.”

From Salon

Whenever you ask AI to contribute to a performance review, make sure to be specific about the information you want the system to analyze or finesse.

From The Wall Street Journal

"Top drawer. Changed the game for them. A winger that wants to beat his man and deliver with a mix of speed and finesse," said ex-Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand.

From BBC

But this is a delicate business, and the administration tempts chaos unless it learns to exercise its power with a lot more finesse.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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