refinement

[ ri-fahyn-muhnt ]

/ rɪˈfaɪn mənt /

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See synonyms for refinement on Thesaurus.com

noun

fineness or elegance of feeling, taste, manners, language, etc.

an instance of refined feeling, manners, etc.

the act or process of refining.

the quality or state of being refined.

a subtle point or distinction.

subtle reasoning.

an improved, higher, or extreme form of something: a refinement of the old system.

Mathematics. a set whose elements include the elements of a given set.

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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 refinement

First recorded in 1605–15; refine + -ment

OTHER WORDS FROM refinement

non·re·fine·ment, nounpre·re·fine·ment, nounself-re·fine·ment, nounsu·per·re·fine·ment, noun

Words nearby refinement

refill, refinance, refinancing, refine, refined, refinement, refiner, refinery, refinish, refit, refl.

How to use refinement in a sentence

It’s important to note, though, that the expansions for URLs, apps and places are in fact expansions rather than refinements — these are OR commands rather than AND commands.
Google custom audiences, the combo of custom affinity and custom intent audiences, now live|Ginny Marvin|September 14, 2020|Search Engine Land
With a little more refinement, these apps and devices could be just as useful to wheelchair users as they are to the general population.
Smart Watches Could Do More For Wheelchair Users|John Loeppky|September 4, 2020|FiveThirtyEight
Some researchers praised Neuralink’s work as showing significant refinement to existing technology.
Neurologists aren’t so sure about Elon Musk’s Neuralink brain implant startup|dzanemorris|August 31, 2020|Fortune
While the Expedition doesn’t have the same level of refinement inside, it certainly has plenty of room.
Vehicles to ride out a pandemic|Joe Phillips|August 22, 2020|Washington Blade

In some cases, these are tactical decisions, the result of hours of market research and focus groups and refinement.
For Aspiring Performers, The NBA Is The Best Place To Be A Mascot|Josh Planos|July 17, 2020|FiveThirtyEight
Back in the USA, returning veterans found that the middle class had adopted the piano as a sign of refinement.
Van Dyke Parks on How Songwriters Are Getting Screwed in the Digital Age|Van Dyke Parks|June 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This was the world of Gustave H. our narrator assumes, one of refinement, poise, and impeccable service.
Wes Anderson’s Austrian Muse: Stefan Zweig|Lucy Scholes|February 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He's someone with huge potential, in line with the spirit of Vuitton - creative audacity with extreme refinement.
Fashion Critic Cathy Horyn Leaves New York Times; Miley Cyrus Gets Naked For 'W' Magazine|The Fashion Beast Team|January 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
They are the epitome of old-school rationality and refinement—or at least they were until now.
The Royal Academy Wants You to Finish This Artwork|Chloë Ashby|January 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In this instance, the Ngram data offer a refinement, not a revelation.
Why Big Data Doesn’t Live up to the Hype|Nick Romeo|January 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He professed both to abominate and despise all mystery, refinement, and intrigue, either in a prince or a minister.
Gulliver's Travels|Jonathan Swift
It is a further refinement when the staunch little lover of liberty sets about "easing" the pressure of commands.
Children's Ways|James Sully
We merely tell thus much to account for her position and her partial refinement—both of which conditions she shared with Susan.
The Garret and the Garden|R.M. Ballantyne
Joseph Guarnerius appears to have endeavoured to produce the grandest tone, combining majesty and refinement.
Violins and Violin Makers|Joseph Pearce
The Connecticut tobacco grower is in all respects a man of genuine refinement and nobility of soul.
Tobacco; Its History, Varieties, Culture, Manufacture and Commerce|E. R. Billings.

British Dictionary definitions for refinement

refinement

/ (rɪˈfaɪnmənt) /

noun

the act of refining or the state of being refined

a fine or delicate point, distinction, or expression; a subtlety

fineness or precision of thought, expression, manners, etc; polish or cultivation

a device, change, adaptation, etc, designed to improve performance or increase efficiency

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

refinement

Origin of refinement

OTHER WORDS FROM refinement

Words nearby refinement

Words related to refinement

How to use refinement in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for refinement