refined

adjective

re·​fined ri-ˈfīnd 

1

: free from impurities

2

: fastidious, cultivated

3

: precise, exact

a refined test for radioactivity

Synonyms

• 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

Land Rover returns as the official vehicle of The Surf Lodge, offering guests an elevated way to explore Montauk, with a fleet of these refined yet rugged Defender SUVs. —Cassell Ferere, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025

In a climate of uncertainty, designers proposed modular, adaptable wardrobes attuned to a global consumer, and the attention shifted away from slogans and theatrics toward refined construction and nuance, with block colors, versatile garments and an eye towards utility. —Alice Pfeiffer, CNN Money, 1 July 2025

Despite him being one of the youngest netminders in this draft class the Canucks, however, seem to view Medvedev as being a little bit more refined technically. —Thomas Drance, New York Times, 29 June 2025

Nearly 50 years into an unwanted dictatorship, Iranians have developed a refined capacity for identifying bad faith. —Shervin Malekzadeh, Mercury News, 26 June 2025

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