refined; refining
1
: to free (something, such as metal, sugar, or oil) from impurities or unwanted material
2
: to free from moral imperfection : elevate
3
: to improve or perfect by pruning or polishing
refine a poetic style
4
: to reduce in vigor or intensity
5
: to free from what is coarse, vulgar, or uncouth
1
: to become pure or perfected
2
: to make improvement by introducing subtleties or distinctions
refiner
noun
Examples of refine in a Sentence
The inventor of the machine spent years refining the design.
The class is meant to help you refine your writing style.
Recent Examples on the Web
Glen Grant debuts a 30-year-old single malt — a rich, refined standout in its Glasshouse Collection and a testament to three decades of masterful aging.
—
Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
Mercury retrograde in Leo later this month on the 18th will rewire your productivity and mental sharpness, making this an excellent time to refine your vision and execute your goals step by step rather than rushing through it all.
—Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 July 2025
The company opened its Miami Innovation Hub in 2023 as a regional center for education, research and development, enabling brands across the Americas to create and refine sustainable wash recipes and laser designs—processes that can then be replicated in manufacturing facilities globally.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 1 July 2025
On the backend, analytics continually refine operations, making each store smarter over time.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for refine
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Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
Mercury retrograde in Leo later this month on the 18th will rewire your productivity and mental sharpness, making this an excellent time to refine your vision and execute your goals step by step rather than rushing through it all.
—Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 July 2025
The company opened its Miami Innovation Hub in 2023 as a regional center for education, research and development, enabling brands across the Americas to create and refine sustainable wash recipes and laser designs—processes that can then be replicated in manufacturing facilities globally.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 1 July 2025
On the backend, analytics continually refine operations, making each store smarter over time.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for refine
Cite this Entry
“Refine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/refine. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
refine
verb
re·fine
ri-ˈfīn 
refined; refining
1
: to come or bring to a pure state
refine sugar
2
: to make or become improved
3
: to free from what is vulgar
4
: to improve by introducing something that makes a small difference
refined upon the older methods
refiner
noun
Medical Definition
refine
transitive verb
re·fine
ri-ˈfīn
refined; refining
: to free (as sugar or oil) from impurities or unwanted material
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