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

But vetoing the bill outright, rather than working to refine it, sends the wrong message — and leaves a gaping hole in protections that are urgently needed. —Elliot Cosgrove, New York Daily News, 27 Apr. 2026

Going forward, the team now needs to overcome other major challenges, like refining autonomous robotic assembly in microgravity. —Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 25 Apr. 2026

Dishes are refined and satisfying—a Friday lunch in February included an avocado quinoa salad with paper-thin radishes and chimichurri, roasted scallops with barley risotto and a chilly glass of the house brut champagne. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Apr. 2026

The lesson learned was simply the need to refine the coating on the metal bezel. —David Szondy april 25, New Atlas, 25 Apr. 2026

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