Entry Word: fine

Function: adjective

Meaning: 1 consisting of very small particles <the fine sand found on the islandʼs beaches>

Synonyms dusty, floury, powdery

Related Words smooth; filtered, pulverized, refined

Near Antonyms rough; unfiltered, unrefined; gravelly, gritty, sandy; pebbly, rocky, stony (also stoney); lumpy, mealy

Antonyms coarse, grainy, granular, granulated

2 made or done with extreme care and accuracy <the fine distinction between bravery and recklessness>

Synonyms delicate, exact, hairline, hairsplitting, minute, nice, refined, subtle

Related Words nitpicking, quibbling; petty, piddling, trifling, trivial; fastidious, finicky, fussy, particular

Near Antonyms apparent, clear, obvious; broad, indefinite; careless, slapdash, slipshod, sloppy

Antonyms coarse, inexact, rough

3 being of less than usual width <use a fine line for the outline of the facial features you intend to carve into the pumpkin> — see narrow 1
4 being to oneʼs liking <that is fine with me> — see satisfactory 1
5 free from added matter <that silver is .9600 fine> — see pure 1
6 meeting the highest standard of accuracy <making the final fine adjustments on the car> — see precise 1
7 of a level of quality that meets one's needs or standards <the wine steward declared that the complaint was unjustified and that the wine was fine> — see adequate
8 of a size that is less than average <read the fine print> — see small 1
9 of the very best kind <a fine performance of a classic ballet> — see excellent