refined

[ ri-fahynd ]
/ rɪˈfaɪnd /
SEE 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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Origin of refined

First recorded in 1565–75; refine + -ed2

OTHER WORDS FROM refined

Words nearby refined

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

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

OTHER WORDS FROM refine

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to refined

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

Example sentences 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 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

Medical 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.