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

How to understand your travel insurance policy One of the biggest problems with travel insurance is that people don't take the time to read the fine print and understand what is — and isn't — covered. —Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025

However, read the fine print—that's actually just the introductory price, and after three months, the price bumps up to $130 per month. —PC Magazine, 16 Apr. 2025

The fine print: The executive order is light on details of how some of the policies will be implemented. —Maya Goldman, Axios, 16 Apr. 2025

This approach is nearly impossible with AI bots since they are designed to submit your résumé en masse and tend to overlook the fine print. —Tammy Homegardner, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025

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