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

Accept a meal voucher or a goodwill gift card, and the fine print can waive your right to cash compensation worth many times more. — Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026

Always review the fine print closely to check for clauses like this, especially if your co-signer is older. — Amy Deyoung, USA Today, 22 Aug. 2026

But Columbia House never ran out of rookie fans too desperate for Boyz II Men and Green Day CDs to read the fine print. — Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 19 Aug. 2026

The risk is mistaking inspiration for logistics or assuming the big picture covers the fine print. — Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1891, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for fine print

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

Legal Definition

fine print

noun

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