refine

[ ri-fahyn ]

/ rɪˈfaɪn /

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See synonyms for: refine / refined / refining on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), re·fined, re·fin·ing.

to bring to a fine or a pure state; free from impurities: to refine metal, sugar, or petroleum.

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

to bring to a finer state or form by purifying.

to make more fine, subtle, or precise: to refine one's writing style.

verb (used without object), re·fined, re·fin·ing.

to become pure: The silver is refining in the furnace.

to become more fine, elegant, or polished: His parents hope that his manners will refine as he gets older.

to make fine distinctions in thought or language.

Verb Phrases

refine on / upon to improve by inserting finer distinctions, superior elements, etc.: to refine on one's previous work.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of refine

First recorded in 1575–85; re- + fine¹

OTHER WORDS FROM refine

re·fin·a·ble, adjectivere·fin·er, nounpre·re·fine, verb (used with object), pre·re·fined, pre·re·fin·ing.self-re·fin·ing, adjective

su·per·re·fine, verb (used with object), su·per·re·fined, su·per·re·fin·ing.un·re·fin·ing, adjective

Words nearby refine

reffo, refi, refill, refinance, refinancing, refine, refined, refinement, refiner, refinery, refinish

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

How to use refine in a sentence

This offseason, he wants to add weight to become more durable and refine his consistency.
Quarterback Taylor Heinicke signs two-year contract to return to Washington Football Team|Sam Fortier|February 10, 2021|Washington Post
In other words, it takes more energy to recover, process, transport, and refine a barrel of Tar Sands oil than one from say, Texas’ Permian Basin.
Keystone XL was supposed to be a green pipeline. What does that even mean?|Juliet Grable|February 5, 2021|Popular-Science
It’s vital to think both in terms that are broader and more refined by being visible to those who are interested in what you have to offer but might not yet know about your product or brand.
Semantic search drives expanded outreach to potential customers|Nikki Vegenski|February 4, 2021|Search Engine Watch
Those candidates spent a week in virtual intensive collaboration with industry experts, who tweaked and refined their innovations.
NIH Director Francis Collins Is Fighting This Coronavirus While Preparing for the Next One|Belinda Luscombe|February 4, 2021|Time

Without A-list superstars to lean on, Utah has refined its four-out offensive system while sticking to its tried-and-true defensive identity around Gobert.
The front-runners for NBA awards aren’t the usual suspects|Ben Golliver|February 1, 2021|Washington Post
It makes us refine our arguments, and search for greater efficiencies, and do our jobs better.
A U.S. Thanksgiving—Family Style: Fractious but Friendly|Joshua DuBois|November 24, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Saudi Arabia sits on top of a vast reservoir of high quality oil that is cheap to pump and cheap to refine.
Fracking is Pitting OPEC Members Against Each Other. It Couldn't Happen to a Nicer Bunch of Cartel Members.|Megan McArdle|May 29, 2013|DAILY BEAST
But in the late 19th century, we learned how to refine grain and make white flour.
It’s the End of the World Unless We All Start Cooking|Rachel Khong|April 23, 2013|DAILY BEAST
We continue to research and refine abortion care while helping to break down barriers separating women from high-quality services.
More on Dr. Gosnell|Michael Tomasky|April 18, 2013|DAILY BEAST
I can continually refine the characters, their histories, and their damage, until they are exactly the right people I need.
Barbara Kingsolver: How I Write|Noah Charney|December 5, 2012|DAILY BEAST
And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined: and I will try them as gold is tried.
The Bible, Douay-Rheims Version|Various
Refine and purge our earthy parts; But, oh, inflame and fire our hearts!
The Ontario Readers: The High School Reader, 1886|Ministry of Education
They could refine gold and silver and make weapons of tempered copper, but they were entirely ignorant of the use of iron.
South American Fights and Fighters|Cyrus Townsend Brady
Does it refine the moral taste, or call into action the best feelings of our nature?
The Sheepfold and the Common, Vol. II (of 2)|Timothy East
The letter to Bliss and the proofs were full of suggested changes that would refine and beautify the text.
Mark Twain, A Biography, 1835-1910, Complete|Albert Bigelow Paine

British Dictionary definitions for refine

refine

/ (rɪˈfaɪn) /

verb

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

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

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

(tr often foll by out) to remove (something impure or extraneous)

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

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

Derived forms of refine

refinable, adjective

Word Origin for refine

C16: from re- + 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

refine

Origin of refine

OTHER WORDS FROM refine

Words nearby refine

Words related to refine

How to use refine in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for refine

Derived forms of refine

Word Origin for refine