fine print

noun

: something thoroughly and often deliberately obscure

especially : a part of an agreement or document spelling out restrictions and limitations often in small type or obscure language

Examples of fine print in a Sentence

Read the fine print before you sign the contract.

Recent Examples on the Web

When shopping your favorite bulb catalog, take time to read the fine print. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 6 Mar. 2026

Qualifications and limits must be clear and prominent, not hidden in fine print. —Kansas City Star, 5 Mar. 2026

For Kriner, though, the tech sector's dedicated pages that emphasize youth safety are the equivalent of fine print on a new product's terms of service. —Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 5 Mar. 2026

Most of us scroll past the fine print when signing up for apps, starting free trials or buying concert tickets, but those tiny terms can limit your rights if something goes wrong. —Joshua Sidorowicz, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1891, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for fine print

• fingerprint
• overprint
• peppermint
• blueprint
• footprint
• imprint
• misprint
• newsprint
• nonprint
• preprint
• reprint
• clint

Legal Definition

fine print

noun

: a part of an agreement or document spelling out restrictions or limitations often in small type or obscure language