refined

adjective

re·​fined ri-ˈfīnd 

1

: free from impurities

2

: fastidious, cultivated

3

: precise, exact

a refined test for radioactivity

Synonyms of refined

• evolved
• improved
• advanced
• higher
• developed

Examples of refined in a Sentence

She has become more refined in her painting technique.

He has very refined manners.

refined and elegant works of art

Recent Examples on the Web

Before Sunday’s final, many had felt that Argentina would need to disrupt a refined Spanish team which has grown in confidence and authority as this World Cup progressed. — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 20 July 2026

The loss of those imports exposed the continent’s reliance on overseas crude, and especially refined products. — Jenny Vaughan, semafor.com, 20 July 2026

Around 20 million barrels of crude oil and refined products passed through the waterway before the conflict. — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 20 July 2026

Ultimately, memorable wardrobes assign purpose to every color, mastering harmony, contrast, and personal complements for effortless, refined style. — Corein Carter, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1582, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for refined

• countersigned
• disinclined
• humankind
• interlined
• intertwined
• mastermind
• misaligned
• nonaligned
• predefined
• realigned
• reassigned
• recombined

Kids Definition

refined

adjective

re·​fined

ri-ˈfīnd

1

: socially well-trained : well-bred, cultivated

very refined manners

2

: freed from impurities : pure

refined sugar

3

: carried to a fine point : subtle

refined measurements