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
Skubal appears to be fine, and has made 11 starts this season. — Bernie Pleskoff, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026 Interestingly, the development could lead to precision for delicate industrial manufacturing, gives advanced prosthetics a richer sense of touch, and allow surgical systems to instantly detect fine tissue abnormalities through visual color cues. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 3 July 2026
Noun
Boston first baseman Willson Contreras and Washington starter Cade Cavalli each received seven-game suspensions and undisclosed fines for their roles in the fourth-inning altercation. — Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026 Because Saturday is typically the busiest day for car sales, most dealerships stay open then and close on Sunday, with violations carrying fines ranging from $500 to $5,000. — Jake Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 July 2026
Verb
The building company was fined $10,000 for the panel falling, and $2,500 for removing the debris against city code. — Chris Quintana, USA Today, 7 July 2026 One general manager, granted anonymity to avoid being fined, said after there was an over-correction to start the season in an attempt to improve freedom of movement, the calls have level set. — Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 7 July 2026
Adverb
Still, Coffin is fine inviting them into the big tent with the rest of us, if only to show where the Hollywood blockbuster machine can find its next gear. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026 What worked fine at home suddenly stutters and stalls on the road. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 30 June 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
  • Their Victorian house looks preposterous in this dusty hamlet.
    — Judy Berman, Time, 9 July 2026
  • Miners flooded the dusty flats surrounding this area after three Irish prospectors, who had immigrated to Australia in the hopes of making their fortunes, accidentally stumbled across gold while looking for water in 1893.
    — Justin Meneguzzi, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2026
Definition of dusty
Adjective
  • Messi’s longevity is a story of enduring brilliance but also subtle evolution.
    — Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 10 July 2026
  • Buyers will be able to tailor the interior with exclusive leather, Alcantara, and a choice of Comfort or Racing seats, both featuring six vertical grooves as a subtle nod to the six-speed layout.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 10 July 2026
Definition of subtle
Adjective
  • The water pressure then causes the vehicle to rise and slide on a thin layer of water between the tires and the road, making the driver lose control.
    — STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 July 2026
  • Sprinkle the entire rug with a thin layer of baking soda and wait 20 minutes.
    — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 5 July 2026
Definition of thin
Adjective
  • Edward Igoe said all officers involved in the situation are okay, but the suspect has died.
    — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 5 July 2026
  • After a December test screening proved to be just okay, the studio decided to take matters into its own hands and took charge of the post-production to make its own cut.
    — Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 3 July 2026
Definition of OK
Adjective
  • This butternut squash pasta is pure comfort, with roasted squash, garlic, and shallots blended into a creamy, smooth sauce.
    — Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 8 July 2026
  • Minions & Monsters kept its familiar chaos intact, but its turn toward sentiment may have left behind some of the pure silliness that built its core audience at home.
    — David Deal, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026
Definition of pure
Adjective
  • Prices were accurate at the time of publication but may change.
    — Charlie Carballo, USA Today, 7 July 2026
  • ISPs would be well within their rights to advertise accurate monthly prices and charge those exact prices on monthly bills.
    — Jon Brodkin, ArsTechnica, 6 July 2026
Definition of accurate
Adjective
  • Today, some of the world’s most critical infrastructure sits on the seabed with far less attention, mostly because adequate tech doesn't exist.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 5 July 2026
  • Employees didn’t take adequate measures to minimize staff travel costs contrary to state policy.
    — Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 3 July 2026
Definition of adequate
Adjective
  • In contrast, instruments on the FireSat satellites will be able to detect small brush and roadside fires 16 feet across.
    — Eric Niiler, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • At the Cannes Film Festival in May, the model Toni Garrn made a striking appearance in a blue-black bustier dress embroidered with small petals.
    — Amy Verner, Vogue, 6 July 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 11 Jul. 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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