fine 1 of 5

adjective

ˈfīn How to pronounce fine (audio)
Definition of finenext
1
as in dusty
consisting of very small particles the fine sand found on the island's beaches

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2
as in subtle
made or done with extreme care and accuracy the fine distinction between bravery and recklessness

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3
as in thin
being of less than usual width use a fine line for the outline of the facial features you intend to carve into the pumpkin

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4
as in okay
being to one's liking that arrangement is fine with me

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5
as in pure
free from added matter that silver is .9600 fine

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6
as in accurate
meeting the highest standard of accuracy making the final fine adjustments on the car's GPS

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7
as in adequate
of a level of quality that meets one's needs or standards the wine steward declared that the complaint of corkiness was unjustified and that the wine was fine

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8
as in small
of a size that is less than average read the fine print

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9
as in excellent
of the very best kind a fine performance of a classic ballet

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10
as in elegant
having qualities that appeal to a refined taste savored every morsel of the restaurant's fine cuisine

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11
as in sensitive
able to sense slight impressions or differences hearing so fine that it can seemingly hear the tiniest twig snap

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12
as in handsome
having or showing elegance a fine old structure in the city's historic district

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fine

2 of 5

noun

as in penalty
a sum of money to be paid as a punishment a $50 fine for speeding

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fine

3 of 5

verb (1)

as in to impose
to establish or apply as a charge or penalty the police will fine you for driving with one headlight out

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fine

4 of 5

verb (2)

as in to filter
to remove usually visible impurities from the use of egg shells to fine wine

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fine

5 of 5

adverb

as in good
in a satisfactory way you did just fine on the stress test

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of fine
Adjective
Consider smarmy tech bad guy Bousquet, who disappears throughout the film (fine, acceptable), or Danielle’s close friend and treasury head Joanna (Elizabeth Marvel) who does the same (criminal, for many reasons). — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 9 Apr. 2025 The city said the water quality was fine and met all health and safety standards. — Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
Noun
Her party, National Rally (RN), was ordered to pay €2 million in fines for the €4.1 million that it was accused of embezzling. — Joseph Ataman, CNN Money, 31 Mar. 2025 For companies like Google and Apple, this could mean a $5,000 fine for each user who downloads or updates TikTok. — Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2025
Verb
The Warriors were also fined $25,000 for the incident. — Scott Wheeler, The Athletic, 25 Mar. 2025 Mintz was later fined for conducting unauthorized statistical investigations. — Anthony Kuhn, NPR, 25 Mar. 2025
Adverb
More importantly, the Senators’ defence held up fine against the Leafs. — Julian McKenzie, The Athletic, 16 Mar. 2025 Webroot makes its own protocol selection by default, which suits the don’t-worry crowd just fine. — PCMAG, 14 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fine
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fine
  1. dusty
  2. subtle
  3. thin
  4. pure
  5. accurate
  6. adequate
  7. small
  8. excellent
Adjective
  • The petrified bones of extinct horses, ground sloths, cheetahs and bears have been uncovered from the dusty layers of time exposed here.
    — Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Mar. 2025
  • This can get unsanitary since the dust can circulate in the air of your home, and for some models, dusty coils can affect how efficiently your fridge cools.
    — Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 30 Mar. 2025
Definition of dusty
Adjective
  • Mulaney’s approach to social commentary on his show is even more subtle; sometimes, concentrating a sketch on a character like Willy Loman is enough.
    — David Sims, The Atlantic, 7 Apr. 2025
  • The game is a fun but challenging exercise for your brain which asks players to group words based on subtle and sometimes tricky connections, which tests your logic and language skills.
    — John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of subtle
Adjective
  • The water pressure then causes the vehicle to rise and slide on a thin layer of water between the tires and the road, making the driver lose control.
    — NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Despite that thinner profile, Corelle says its triple-layered glass plates and bowls are chip- and crack-resistant — a claim that’s backed up with a three-year warranty.
    — Clint Davis, People.com, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of thin
Adjective
  • Far too many left to get it on three without pure luck.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2025
  • To suggest that the cartels might import coca leaves to extract cocaine makes about as much sense as suggesting that someone would import Dom Perignon to secure by chemical processing pure extracts of ethyl alcohol.
    — Wade Davis, Rolling Stone, 6 Apr. 2025
Definition of pure
Adjective
  • Assuming that number is accurate, Rick would have been born around 1975, probably after Jim started doing business in Thailand.
    — Eliana Dockterman, Time, 31 Mar. 2025
  • Lack Of Centralized Business Registries: Unlike other Western countries, Canada’s federal and provincial governments typically do not maintain accurate, structured and accessible business registries.
    — Elodie Bouneau, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
Definition of accurate
Adjective
  • Production values are adequate, apart from the occasional iffy digital effect.
    — Dennis Harvey, Variety, 11 Apr. 2025
  • Concerns have been raised about DOGE operatives, many with ties to Musk's companies, gaining access to sensitive government data without adequate oversight or experience.
    — Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of adequate
Adjective
  • Lee already had six permanent tattoos –– small ones easily hidden by clothing –– and thought this was a good opportunity to try out a more visible tattoo.
    — Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Hybrid solutions are currently typically used for small systems.
    — ILYA Likhov, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of small
Adjective
  • Two standout experiences near the water include Schooner’s in the Caribbean Village, open for breakfast and dinner (chef Chris’s swordfish steak was excellent) as well as Barefoot by the Sea in the Italian Village.
    — Jacqui Gifford, Travel + Leisure, 6 Apr. 2025
  • Rear space is excellent, with plenty of legroom and headroom, accentuated by the panoramic sunroof.
    — James Morris, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025
Definition of excellent

Phrases Containing fine

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finds out
fine
fined
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Cite this Entry

“Fine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fine. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on fine

Nglish: Translation of fine for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about fine

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