finer; finest
1
a
: all right
that's fine with me
b
: well or healthy : not sick or injured
feel fine
2
: superior in kind, quality, or appearance : excellent
a fine job
a fine day
fine wines
3
a(1)
: very thin in gauge or texture
fine thread
(2)
: not coarse
fine sand
(3)
: very small
fine print
(4)
: keen
a knife with a fine edge
(5)
: very precise or accurate
a fine adjustment
trying to be too fine with his pitches
b
: physically trained or hardened close to the limit of efficiency
—used of an athlete or animal
4
: delicate, subtle, or sensitive in quality, perception, or discrimination
a fine distinction
5
a
: ornate sense 1
fine writing
b
: marked by or affecting elegance or refinement
fine manners
6
—used as an intensive
the leader, in a fine frenzy, beheaded one of his wives—
Brian Crozier
Brian Crozier7
a
: free from impurity
b
of a metal
: having a stated proportion of pure metal in the composition expressed in parts per thousand
a gold coin .9166 fine
1
a
: a sum imposed as punishment for an offense
The motorist had to pay a fine for speeding.
b
: a forfeiture or penalty paid to an injured party in a civil action
2
: a compromise of a fictitious suit used as a form of conveyance of lands
3
obsolete
: end, conclusion
fined; fining
1
: to become pure or clear
the ale will fine
2
: to become smaller in lines or proportions
: end
—used as a direction in music to mark the closing point after a repeat
Synonyms
Adjective
Adverb
- acceptably
- adequately
- all right
- alright
- creditably
- decently
- good
- middlingly
- nicely
- OK
- okay
- passably
- respectably
- satisfactorily
- serviceably
- so-so
- sufficiently
- tolerably
- well
Noun (1)
Verb (1)
Verb (2)
Examples of fine in a Sentence
Adjective
“Is there anything wrong?” “No, everything's fine.”
The house looks fine to me.
I think that's a fine idea.
You did a fine job.
The house is in fine shape.
This is a fine example of what can go wrong when one person is given too much power.
He's a fine young man.
“Did you hurt yourself?” “No, I'm fine.”
Adverb
She did fine on the test.
My mother is doing fine, thank you.
This'll do fine for now.
She talks and walks so fine, just like a great lady.
Recent Examples on the WebThe Arizona Republic, 22 Apr. 2024
Currently, South Dakota has some of the harshest laws penalizing cannabis – possession of any amount can land someone in prison for 10 years and with a fine up to $20,000.
—Melissa Cruz, USA TODAY, 20 Apr. 2024
Third and subsequent offenses can come with a $500 fine or six months in jail.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 20 Apr. 2024
Fredrick Schumacher, an epidemiologist at Case Western Reserve University who investigates the linkages between chemical exposure and chronic illnesses, discussed how genetic predisposition could explain why some locals were getting sick while others were perfectly fine.
—E. Tammy Kim, The New Yorker, 19 Apr. 2024
However, some steamed or boiled vegetables are fine, including carrots, squash, zucchini, asparagus tips, and even mushrooms.
—Stephen C. George, Discover Magazine, 18 Apr. 2024
The Supreme Court granted him the power to order the immediate removal of problematic content — and fine or suspend companies that did not comply.
—Terrence McCoy, Washington Post, 18 Apr. 2024
The findings do not mean people need to cut out higher-risk foods from their diets completely, as eating them every now and again is fine, said Rogers.
—Kate Gibson, CBS News, 18 Apr. 2024
Dunder Mifflin’s finest are back in business with a new startup.
—Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 18 Apr. 2024
Ebony Flake, Essence, 8 Apr. 2024
The version that Sugar mostly pretends to be for six episodes would probably do just fine without the big twist.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 5 Apr. 2024
Anthony Bender started it off fine with a scoreless sixth inning.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 5 Apr. 2024
Dune ended up doing just fine on its opening, hitting $82.5 million domestically.
—Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 Apr. 2024
Good artists, like good comedians, do just fine without the safety net of explication.
—Jackson Arn, The New Yorker, 22 Mar. 2024
On a midafternoon Friday in London, this involves much ducking and diving through crowds, which suits Scott just fine.
—Zing Tsjeng, Vogue, 20 Mar. 2024
Oil will work just fine, but schmaltz makes a world of difference.
—Julia Levy, Southern Living, 28 Mar. 2024
An inexperienced cook will do just fine, though the prep work (peeling and chopping) might take longer.
—PCMAG, 27 Mar. 2024
Julia Gomez, USA TODAY, 25 Apr. 2024
Per Reuters, the watchdog just fined the company €10 million ($10.7 million) for limiting consumers’ freedom of choice.
—David Meyer, Fortune, 24 Apr. 2024
The City of Indio, where Coachella takes place, will fine the music festival $28,000 for breaking the city's curfew after Del Rey's set went 13 minutes over last week, TMZ first reported.
—Caitlin O'Kane, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2024
In the United Kingdom, people who sleep on the streets might be imprisoned or fined over £2,500 for creating a nuisance or damage—including by smelling bad.
—William Norwich, Vogue, 22 Apr. 2024
People who dump illegally can be fined up to $5,000.
—Journal Sentinel, 22 Apr. 2024
Palmer was fined more than $44,000 by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration for failing to evacuate.
—Michael Rubinkam, Quartz, 17 Apr. 2024
Five stores in the Charlotte region were among more than a dozen North Carolina retailers fined over $256,870 combined for overcharging customers so far this year.
—Catherine Muccigrosso, Charlotte Observer, 16 Apr. 2024
When the plane landed in Australia, the man was escorted off by police and fined.
—Paula Mejía, The Atlantic, 11 Apr. 2024
Christina Maxouris, CNN, 15 Apr. 2024
The consequences of an election fraud conviction, a Class I felony, may be a fine of up to $10,000, prison time for up to three and a half years, or both, under Wisconsin state law.
—Claudia Levens, Journal Sentinel, 15 Apr. 2024
Some states automatically restore a person's voting rights after incarceration; some restore them after a full sentence is complete, which encompasses parole and fines as well; and others require a waiting period or some sort of action on the part of those convicted to get re-registered.
—Miles Parks, NPR, 14 Apr. 2024
Falsifying records in the first degree is subject to up to four years in prison, and a five-thousand-dollar fine.
—Eric Lach, The New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2024
Failing to register carries a penalty of up to five years in prison and $250,000 in fines.
—Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 12 Apr. 2024
Kansas state law classifies adultery as a class C misdemeanor, which carries a sentence of up to a month in jail and/or a fine.
—Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 12 Apr. 2024
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, for example, was hit with $450 million in fines for the 2019 model year.
—Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 10 Apr. 2024
In exchange, prosecutors contend, Polit made government fines go away and allow the engineering firm to continue working in Ecuador.
—Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2024
Adjective
And could change Pioneering Phoenix fine dining restaurant Binkley's closing after 20 years.
—The Arizona Republic, 22 Apr. 2024
Currently, South Dakota has some of the harshest laws penalizing cannabis – possession of any amount can land someone in prison for 10 years and with a fine up to $20,000.
—Melissa Cruz, USA TODAY, 20 Apr. 2024
Third and subsequent offenses can come with a $500 fine or six months in jail.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 20 Apr. 2024
Fredrick Schumacher, an epidemiologist at Case Western Reserve University who investigates the linkages between chemical exposure and chronic illnesses, discussed how genetic predisposition could explain why some locals were getting sick while others were perfectly fine.
—E. Tammy Kim, The New Yorker, 19 Apr. 2024
However, some steamed or boiled vegetables are fine, including carrots, squash, zucchini, asparagus tips, and even mushrooms.
—Stephen C. George, Discover Magazine, 18 Apr. 2024
The Supreme Court granted him the power to order the immediate removal of problematic content — and fine or suspend companies that did not comply.
—Terrence McCoy, Washington Post, 18 Apr. 2024
The findings do not mean people need to cut out higher-risk foods from their diets completely, as eating them every now and again is fine, said Rogers.
—Kate Gibson, CBS News, 18 Apr. 2024
Dunder Mifflin’s finest are back in business with a new startup.
—Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 18 Apr. 2024
Adverb
Not everyone is looking to their career for personal fulfillment; for many, a paycheck and stability will do just fine.
—Ebony Flake, Essence, 8 Apr. 2024
The version that Sugar mostly pretends to be for six episodes would probably do just fine without the big twist.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 5 Apr. 2024
Anthony Bender started it off fine with a scoreless sixth inning.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 5 Apr. 2024
Dune ended up doing just fine on its opening, hitting $82.5 million domestically.
—Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 Apr. 2024
Good artists, like good comedians, do just fine without the safety net of explication.
—Jackson Arn, The New Yorker, 22 Mar. 2024
On a midafternoon Friday in London, this involves much ducking and diving through crowds, which suits Scott just fine.
—Zing Tsjeng, Vogue, 20 Mar. 2024
Oil will work just fine, but schmaltz makes a world of difference.
—Julia Levy, Southern Living, 28 Mar. 2024
An inexperienced cook will do just fine, though the prep work (peeling and chopping) might take longer.
—PCMAG, 27 Mar. 2024
Verb
He was fined $400 by the court and given two years of supervised probation, reports KSTP.
—Julia Gomez, USA TODAY, 25 Apr. 2024
Per Reuters, the watchdog just fined the company €10 million ($10.7 million) for limiting consumers’ freedom of choice.
—David Meyer, Fortune, 24 Apr. 2024
The City of Indio, where Coachella takes place, will fine the music festival $28,000 for breaking the city's curfew after Del Rey's set went 13 minutes over last week, TMZ first reported.
—Caitlin O'Kane, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2024
In the United Kingdom, people who sleep on the streets might be imprisoned or fined over £2,500 for creating a nuisance or damage—including by smelling bad.
—William Norwich, Vogue, 22 Apr. 2024
People who dump illegally can be fined up to $5,000.
—Journal Sentinel, 22 Apr. 2024
Palmer was fined more than $44,000 by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration for failing to evacuate.
—Michael Rubinkam, Quartz, 17 Apr. 2024
Five stores in the Charlotte region were among more than a dozen North Carolina retailers fined over $256,870 combined for overcharging customers so far this year.
—Catherine Muccigrosso, Charlotte Observer, 16 Apr. 2024
When the plane landed in Australia, the man was escorted off by police and fined.
—Paula Mejía, The Atlantic, 11 Apr. 2024
Noun
He was sentenced to six months of unsupervised probation, a $500 fine, had to participate in a firearms safety class, complete 24 hours of community service and not use drugs or alcohol.
—Christina Maxouris, CNN, 15 Apr. 2024
The consequences of an election fraud conviction, a Class I felony, may be a fine of up to $10,000, prison time for up to three and a half years, or both, under Wisconsin state law.
—Claudia Levens, Journal Sentinel, 15 Apr. 2024
Some states automatically restore a person's voting rights after incarceration; some restore them after a full sentence is complete, which encompasses parole and fines as well; and others require a waiting period or some sort of action on the part of those convicted to get re-registered.
—Miles Parks, NPR, 14 Apr. 2024
Falsifying records in the first degree is subject to up to four years in prison, and a five-thousand-dollar fine.
—Eric Lach, The New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2024
Failing to register carries a penalty of up to five years in prison and $250,000 in fines.
—Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 12 Apr. 2024
Kansas state law classifies adultery as a class C misdemeanor, which carries a sentence of up to a month in jail and/or a fine.
—Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 12 Apr. 2024
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, for example, was hit with $450 million in fines for the 2019 model year.
—Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 10 Apr. 2024
In exchange, prosecutors contend, Polit made government fines go away and allow the engineering firm to continue working in Ecuador.
—Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fine.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Articles Related to fine
Dictionary Entries Near fine
Cite this Entry
“Fine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fine. Accessed 28 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
fine
1 of 5 noun
: a sum of money to be paid as a punishment
fine
2 of 5 verb
fined; fining
: to punish by a fine
fine
3 of 5 adjective
finer; finest
1
: free from impurity
2
a
: not thick, coarse, or dull
fine thread
fine sand
b
: small entry 1 sense 1
fine print
c
: done with extreme care and accuracy
fine measurement
3
: subtle sense 1b
a fine distinction
4
: excellent in quality or appearance
a fine spring day
5
: to one's liking : agreeable
that's fine with me
6
: very well
feel fine
finely
adverb
fine
4 of 5 adverb1
: in a fine manner
2
: very well
did fine on the test
I liked it fine
fine
5 of 5 noun
fi·ne
ˈfē-(ˌ)nā
: end entry 1 sense 1b
—used as a direction in music to mark the closing point after a repeat
Etymology
Noun
from earlier fine "a final agreement to settle a lawsuit," from Middle English fine "end, conclusion," from early French fin (same meaning), from Latin finis "end, limit" — related to final
Adjective
Middle English fin "pure, brought to perfection," from early French fin (same meaning), from Latin finis (noun) "end, limit" as in finis honorum "the height of honor, the highest honor"
Noun
Italian, from Latin finis "end, limit"
Medical Definition
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