fine 1 of 5

adjective

ˈfīn How to pronounce fine (audio)
Definition of finenext
1
as in dusty
consisting of very small particles the fine sand found on the island's beaches

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2
as in subtle
made or done with extreme care and accuracy the fine distinction between bravery and recklessness

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3
as in thin
being of less than usual width use a fine line for the outline of the facial features you intend to carve into the pumpkin

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4
as in OK
being to one's liking that arrangement is fine with me

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5
as in pure
free from added matter that silver is .9600 fine

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6
as in accurate
meeting the highest standard of accuracy making the final fine adjustments on the car's GPS

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7
as in adequate
of a level of quality that meets one's needs or standards the wine steward declared that the complaint of corkiness was unjustified and that the wine was fine

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8
as in small
of a size that is less than average read the fine print

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9
as in excellent
of the very best kind a fine performance of a classic ballet

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10
as in elegant
having qualities that appeal to a refined taste savored every morsel of the restaurant's fine cuisine

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11
as in sensitive
able to sense slight impressions or differences hearing so fine that it can seemingly hear the tiniest twig snap

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12
as in handsome
having or showing elegance a fine old structure in the city's historic district

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fine

2 of 5

noun

as in penalty
a sum of money to be paid as a punishment a $50 fine for speeding

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fine

3 of 5

verb (1)

as in to impose
to establish or apply as a charge or penalty the police will fine you for driving with one headlight out

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fine

4 of 5

verb (2)

as in to filter
to remove usually visible impurities from the use of egg shells to fine wine

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fine

5 of 5

adverb

as in good
in a satisfactory way you did just fine on the stress test

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of fine
Adjective
The cooperative specializes in Zeter, a finer variety of Pulu made from especially soft wool from the necks and backs of sheep. — ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026 Fortunately, Forbes Travel Guide has uncorked some insider tips for sampling Napa’s finest wines, including joining a wine club and taking a local class. — Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Noun
The mayor urged the board to leverage its full enforcement authority to issue the order, including maximum financial fines against Lineage. — Celina Tebor, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026 The critical issue for citizen suits is who — the government or private citizens — collects fines and has control. — Michael Phillis, Fortune, 8 Aug. 2026
Verb
However, Storm co-owner Celeste Keaton was fined and suspended for five games after last Tuesday’s contest, when two girls sitting courtside in support of Cunnigham said Keaton cursed at them and called them insane. — Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026 Meanwhile, Seattle Storm co-owner Celeste Keaton was suspended and fined after allegedly berating two young Cunningham fans who were sitting courtside for celebrating Cunningham's stance on women's sports. — Jackson Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 4 Aug. 2026
Adverb
And while the late-’90s pivot from newsprint to Coke and Snickers worked fine for decades (there was plenty of demand for sugary snacks), that’s changing in the Ozempic and protein-maxxing era. — Anne Kadet, Curbed, 22 July 2026 Over thousands of years, traditional agricultural practices have fine tuned the region’s native avocado varieties, also known as landraces. — Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 22 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for fine
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fine
  1. dusty
  2. subtle
  3. thin
  4. OK
  5. pure
  6. accurate
  7. adequate
  8. small
Adjective
  • The popular set tends to sell quickly, so consider grabbing one while fall-favorite shades like dusty olive, terracotta, and mauve are still in stock.
    — Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Aug. 2026
  • The wind is whistling through an enormous, dusty construction site, surrounded by highways, office towers and a sports arena.
    — Maria Aspan, NPR, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of dusty
Adjective
  • The herbal shiso adds a subtle savory depth, delivering a clean, refreshing balance to the textures and flavor.
    — Angela Hansberger, AJC.com, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Ask someone to review a two-hour video and identify subtle violations, and they are almost guaranteed to miss something.
    — Tal Lev-Ami, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of subtle
Adjective
  • Farinacci often spent days and even weeks scouting potential fire locations, monitoring weather and wildfire data, and planning to set multiple fires to stretch firefighting resources thin, according to detectives.
    — Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Those moments are sobering reminders of just how thin the margins are for the Phillies rotation, which has been excellent for the most part, though extremely top-heavy.
    — Charlotte Varnes, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of thin
Adjective
  • The psoriasis was everywhere on my body but my face was okay.
    — Andrea Wurzburger, PEOPLE, 3 Aug. 2026
  • The first Guardians made Marvel Studios feel okay with getting weird, but a more confident sequel was required to maximize the concept’s strange potential.
    — EW Staff, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of OK
Adjective
  • By producing pure, highly concentrated molecules that mimic the skin’s natural functions, Lewisham claims her products are more consistent, precise and sustainable.
    — Kati Chitrakorn, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Reese and Styles were this draft’s best athletes, and there were other safeties in this class with better physical attributes, but Downs was the best pure football player in the class.
    — Nick Baumgardner, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of pure
Adjective
  • Sharad said regulators are also using AI to identify inaccurate filings and repeat offenders more quickly, making accurate customs data increasingly important as tariff policies continue evolving.
    — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 3 Aug. 2026
  • For Orlando families, workers and businesses, the practical response begins with accurate records, a clear plan and a realistic understanding of how immigration agencies and court proceedings can intersect.
    — Ascend Agency, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of accurate
Adjective
  • New regulations required flameproof tents, safety training, and adequate available fire extinguishers.
    — Dr. Marianne Parshley, Hartford Courant, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Since students won’t come to campus in adequate numbers, sell the physical campus, dorms and recreational facilities.
    — Jim Nowlan, Chicago Tribune, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of adequate
Adjective
  • These vines will also happily wind their way around tree trunks and shrubs and fix themselves in place with small rootlets that take on a hairy appearance as poison ivy plants mature.
    — Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Tidy a corner and play a favorite song, letting a small routine remind everyone that care comes through simple, repeatable acts.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of small

Phrases Containing fine

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finds out
fine
fined
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Cite this Entry

“Fine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fine. Accessed 10 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on fine

Nglish: Translation of fine for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about fine

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