fine

noun \ ˈfīn \

|Updated on: 12 Jun 2018

Examples: fine in a Sentence

1 obsolete : end, conclusion

2 : a compromise of a fictitious suit used as a form of conveyance of lands

3 a : a sum imposed as punishment for an offense

The motorist had to pay a fine for speeding.

b : a forfeiture or penalty paid to an injured party in a civil action

— in fine

: in short

Origin and Etymology of fine

Middle English fin, fyne "end, conclusion, final legal settlement relating to alienation of property, fee paid to complete a legal conveyance, money paid in lieu of judicial punishment," borrowed from Anglo-French fin, going back to Latin fīnis "boundary, limit, terminal point, ending" (Medieval Latin also, "legal settlement, agreement involving payment, payment in lieu of punishment") — more at ¹final

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First Known Use: 13th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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fine

verb

fined; fining

transitive verb

: to impose a fine on : punish by a fine

Origin and Etymology of fine

in part derivative of ¹fine, in part continuing Middle English finen "to pay a fine," borrowed from Anglo-French finer "to pay as a fine, make a payment," verbal derivative of fin ¹fine

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First Known Use: circa 1513

in the meaning defined above

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fine

adjective

finer; finest

1 a : free from impurity

b of a metal : having a stated proportion of pure metal in the composition expressed in parts per thousand

a gold coin .9166 fine

2 a (1) : very thin in gauge or texture

fine thread

(2) : not coarse

fine sand

(3) : very small

fine print

(4) : keen

a knife with a fine edge

(5) : very precise or accurate

a fine adjustment

trying to be too fine with his pitches

b : physically trained or hardened close to the limit of efficiency —used of an athlete or animal

3 : delicate, subtle, or sensitive in quality, perception, or discrimination

a fine distinction

4 : superior in kind, quality, or appearance : excellent

a fine job

a fine day

fine wines

5 a : ornate 1

fine writing

b : marked by or affecting elegance or refinement

fine manners

6 a : well or healthy : not sick or injured

feel fine

b : all right

that's fine with me

7 —used as an intensive

the leader, in a fine frenzy, beheaded one of his wives
—Brian Crozier

—

fineness

play \ˈfīn-nəs\ noun

See fine defined for English-language learners

Examples of fine in a Sentence

“Is there anything wrong?” “No, everything's fine.”
The house looks fine to me.
I think that's a fine idea.
You did a fine job.
The house is in fine shape.
This is a fine example of what can go wrong when one person is given too much power.
He's a fine young man.
“Did you hurt yourself?” “No, I'm fine.”

Origin and Etymology of fine

Middle English fin, fyne "of choice quality, superior, admirable, free from impurity, delicate" borrowed from Anglo-French fin, going back to Gallo-Romance *fīnus "extreme, ultimate," adjective derivative of Latin fīnis "boundary, limit, ending" — more at ¹final

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First Known Use: 13th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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fine Synonyms

Phrases

up to snuff;

fine

adverb

1 : finely: such as

a : very well

b : all right

2 : with a very narrow margin of time or space

she had not intended to cut her escape so fine
—Melinda Beck et al.

See fine defined for English-language learners

Examples of fine in a Sentence

She did fine on the test.
My mother is doing fine, thank you.
This'll do fine for now.
She talks and walks so fine, just like a great lady.

Origin and Etymology of fine

Middle English fyne, derivative of fin, fyne ³fine

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First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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fine Synonyms

Synonyms

acceptably, adequately, all right, alright, creditably, decently, good, middlingly, nicely, OK (or okay), passably, respectably, satisfactorily, serviceably, so-so, sufficiently, tolerably, well;

Antonyms

bad, badly, deficiently, ill, inadequately, insufficiently, intolerably, poorly, unacceptably, unsatisfactorily;

Near Antonyms

unbearably;

inappropriately, incorrectly, indecently, unsuitably;

awfully, deplorably, disastrously, dreadfully, horrendously, horribly, horridly, miserably, terribly;

gratifyingly, satisfyingly;

effectively, effectually, efficiently, neatly, tidily;

fine

verb

fined; fining

transitive verb

1 : purify, clarify

fine and filter wine

2 : to make finer in quality or size

intransitive verb

1 : to become pure or clear

the ale will fine

2 : to become smaller in lines or proportions

Origin and Etymology of fine

Middle English finen, derivative of fin, fyne ³fine

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First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

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fine

noun fi·ne \ ˈfē-(ˌ)nā \

: end —used as a direction in music to mark the closing point after a repeat

Origin and Etymology of fine

borrowed from Italian, going back to Latin fīnis "boundary, limit, ending" — more at ¹final

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First Known Use: 1740

in the meaning defined above

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FINE Defined for English Language Learners

fine

adjective

: good, acceptable, or satisfactory
—used in an ironic way to refer to things that are not good or acceptable
: very good

fine

adverb

: not badly or poorly : well enough
: in an elegant and graceful way
: in small pieces

FINE Defined for Kids

fine

noun \ ˈfīn \

: a sum of money to be paid as a punishment

fine

verb

fined; fining

: to punish by requiring payment of a sum of money

fine

adjective

finer; finest

1 : very good in quality or appearance

a fine swimmer

a fine garden

2 : satisfactory

That's fine with me.

3 : very small or thin

fine print

4 : made up of very small pieces

fine sand

—

finely

adverb

finely dressed

finely ground pepper

—

fineness

noun

fine

adverb

: very well

I'm doing fine.

Medical Dictionary

fine

adjective \ ˈfīn \

finer; finest

of bodily tremors

: of slight excursion

Law Dictionary

fine

noun

1 : a sum imposed as punishment for an offense — compare restitution

2 : a forfeiture or penalty paid to an injured party in a civil action

Origin and Etymology of fine

Anglo-French fin, fine & Medieval Latin finis end, boundary, agreement, payment for release or privilege, monetary penalty, from Latin finis end, boundary