definitions
  • synonyms

refined

[ ri-fahynd ]
/ rɪˈfaɪnd /
||
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR refined ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

having or showing well-bred feeling, taste, etc.: refined people.
freed or free from coarseness, vulgarity, etc.: refined taste.
freed from impurities: refined sugar.
very subtle, precise, or exact: refined distinctions.

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RELATED WORDS

precise, polished, tasteful, cultivated, discriminating, elegant, genteel, delicate, classy, subtle, sophisticated, urbane, processed, pure, purified, exact, discerning, enlightened, fine, restrained

Nearby words

reffo, refill, refinance, refinancing, refine, refined, refinedly, refinement, refiner, refinery, refining

Origin of refined

First recorded in 1565–75; refine + -ed2
SYNONYMS FOR refined
1 cultivated, polished, polite, courteous, civilized, courtly, genteel, elegant.
3 clarified, distilled, purified.
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR refined ON THESAURUS.COM
Related forms

Definition for refined (2 of 2)

refine

[ ri-fahyn ]
/ rɪˈfaɪn /

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

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

Verb Phrases

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

Origin of refine

First recorded in 1575–85; re- + fine1
Related forms
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for refined

British Dictionary definitions for refined (1 of 2)

refined

/ (rɪˈfaɪnd) /

adjective

not coarse or vulgar; genteel, elegant, or polite
subtle; discriminating
freed from impurities; purified

British Dictionary definitions for refined (2 of 2)

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 Formsrefinable, 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

Medicine definitions for refined

refine

[ rĭ-fīn′ ]

v.

To reduce to a pure state; purify.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.