fine-tuned; fine-tuning; fine-tunes
1
a
: to adjust precisely so as to bring to the highest level of performance or effectiveness
fine-tune the engine of a race car
fine-tune the format
b
: to improve through minor alteration or revision
fine-tune the temperature of the room
fine-tune a policy
c
: to improve or adapt the performance of (an artificial intelligence model) through the use of focused training and data
Techniques like reinforcement learning from human feedback … are now central to how leading AI labs fine-tune their models to be more helpful, accurate and safe.—Natasha Lomas et al.
often, specifically
: to adapt (a general-purpose artificial intelligence model) to perform specialized work
Big companies and academic labs … fine-tune open source AI models to create new variants that are optimized for specific tasks, like solving math problems, drafting legal agreements, or answering medical questions. —Will Knight
2
: to stabilize (an economy) by small-scale fiscal and monetary manipulations
fine-tuning
noun
If you've ever wished your AI could better understand your niche needs, mimic a specific tone, or tackle highly specialized tasks, fine-tuning is the magic wand that makes it possible.
—Julian Horsey
Cite this Entry
“Fine-tune.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fine-tune. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.
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