refine

[ri-fahyn]

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.

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

/ 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

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of refine¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of refine¹

C16: from _re- + _fine ¹

Example Sentences

Bartenders are elevating these drinks with high-quality ingredients, local fruits, and refined technique.

Read more on Salon

Local scrapyards buy copper and resell it to larger metal recyclers, which process and refine it so it can be recycled into new products.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

It takes time for the work processes inside of companies to be reorganized and refined around new information technologies.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Instead, they think he will refine the company’s pipeline of lithium projects, with developments happening more slowly than originally planned.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The North Koreans have not only made their thievery more efficient, but have also refined their money-laundering techniques to the point that the stolen booty disappears into the dark reaches of cyberspace within days.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• civilize 
• clarify 
• cultivate 
• hone 
• improve