refine

American  

[ri-fahyn] / rɪˈfaɪn /

verb (used with object)

refined, refining

1. to bring to a fine or a pure state; free from impurities.

   to refine metal, sugar, or petroleum.

2. to purify from what is coarse, vulgar, or debasing; make elegant or cultured.

3. to bring to a finer state or form by purifying.

4. to make more fine, subtle, or precise.

   to refine one's writing style.

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verb (used without object)

refined, refining

1. to become pure.

   The silver is refining in the furnace.

2. to become more fine, elegant, or polished.

   His parents hope that his manners will refine as he gets older.

3. to make fine distinctions in thought or language.

verb phrase

1. refine on / upon to improve by inserting finer distinctions, superior elements, etc..

   to refine on one's previous work.

refine British  

/ rɪˈfaɪn /

verb

1. to make or become free from impurities, sediment, or other foreign matter; purify

2. (tr) to separate (a mixture) into pure constituents, as in an oil refinery

3. to make or become free from coarse characteristics; make or become elegant or polished

4. to remove (something impure or extraneous)

5. (intr; often foll by on or upon) to enlarge or improve (upon) by making subtle or fine distinctions

6. (tr) to make (language) more subtle or polished

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Other Word Forms

• prerefine verb (used with object)
• refinable adjective
• refiner noun
• self-refining adjective
• superrefine verb (used with object)
• unrefining adjective

Etymology

Origin of refine

First recorded in 1575–85; re- + fine ¹

Explanation

When you refine something, you make it better. Whether it's sugar or an essay, refining it requires fixing its flaws. You may think you created a masterpiece on the first try. But there's always room to refine. More than just working out the kinks, refining something means you're going to fine tune it, hone it to perfection, and make it more precise. In scientific terms, to refine something means to reduce it down to a pure state. At the dinner table, you can please grandma by refining your manners.

Example Sentences

When they designed a table using a plank with a natural gap, they left the gap in the center, which helped them get the right width and refine its shape.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2026

Public users start by typing in a strategy or investment thesis, then refine its parameters with follow-up questions.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

To further refine risk estimates, the guideline outlines additional factors doctors may consider, referred to as "risk enhancers."

From Science Daily • Mar. 29, 2026

All parties will have an opportunity to refine their legal arguments as cases brought by individuals, school districts and states wind through the courts.

From BBC • Mar. 27, 2026

Mary helped her son refine the vehicle until they possessed something that could roll down the street with its pilot, as the racers were known, in the drivers seat.

From "Hidden Figures" by Margot Lee Shetterly

Related Words

• civilize
• clarify
• cultivate
• hone
• improve