refine

verb

re·​fine ri-ˈfīn 

refined; refining

transitive verb

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

intransitive verb

1

: to become pure or perfected

2

: to make improvement by introducing subtleties or distinctions

refiner noun

Synonyms of refine

• improve
• enhance

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

Facing a two-front military threat, India has been refining its nuclear forces by fielding new weapon platforms—including a ballistic missile submarine in August last year—and test-launching long-range missiles capable of reaching all of China and Pakistan. —Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Dec. 2025

The current MobED model has been fully refined and will go on sale in the first half of 2026. —Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 4 Dec. 2025

Nova Forge customers will also have the option to refine open-weight models, but training data and computing infrastructure are not included. —Jordan Novet, CNBC, 2 Dec. 2025

Power supplies, motor controls, and phono equalizers are strategically separated to prevent interference, while circuits are refined to minimize distortion and coloration. —Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 1 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1582, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for refine

• affine
• airline
• align
• aline
• assign
• baseline
• beamline
• benign
• bloodline
• bovine
• byline
• canine

Kids 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