Refine

/ɹɪˈfaɪn/ · verb

Meaning

(transitive) To purify; reduce to a fine, unmixed, or pure state; to free from impurities..

Definitions by Sense

1. (transitive) To purify; reduce to a fine, unmixed, or pure state; to free from impurities.
2. (intransitive) To become pure; to be cleared of impure matter.
3. (transitive) To purify of coarseness, vulgarity, inelegance, etc.; to polish.
4. (ambitransitive) To improve in accuracy, delicacy, or excellence.
5. (transitive) To make nice or subtle.

Example Sentences

to refine gold

to refine iron

to refine wine

to refine sugar

The dawn of the oil age was fairly recent. Although the stuff was used to waterproof boats in the Middle East 6,000 years ago, extracting it in earnest began only in 1859 after an oil strike in Pennsylvania.[…]It was used to make kerosene, the main fuel for artificial lighting after overfishing led to a shortage of whale blubber. Other liquids produced in the refining process, too unstable or smoky for lamplight, were burned or dumped.

to refine someone's manners

to refine a language

a refined style

Synonyms for refine

Antonyms for refine

Related Words

Word Forms

• refines
• refining
• refined

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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