refine

1 of 2

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

refiner

2 of 2

noun

re·​fin·​er

ri-ˈfī-nər

plural -s

: one that refines: such as

a

: one whose work is refining a specified thing

lard refiner

oil refiner

b

: a machine that gives the final mechanical treatment to paper stock

Synonyms of refine

Verb

• improve
• enhance

Examples of refine in a Sentence

Verb

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

Verb

However, the specific copper catalyst used by Badreldin's team is able to preferentially produce methane over other compounds, thereby creating it pure without having to refine it. — Keith Cooper, Space.com, 15 Sep. 2026

Those failures helped the company refine the design for longer deployments. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 15 Sep. 2026

The interior of the Crosstrek feels functional, and premium materials in the final configuration make its cabin more refined. — Charles Singh, USA Today, 15 Sep. 2026

There’s also capryloyl salicylic acid (LHA), a gentle exfoliating acid that refines rough texture as cell turnover begins to slow over time. — Emily Orofino, Allure, 15 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1582, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for refine

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

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