First Known Use: 13th century
Dictionary
1fine
noun \ˈfīn\
Definition of FINE
1
obsolete : end, conclusion
2
: a compromise of a fictitious suit used as a form of conveyance of lands
3
a : a sum imposed as punishment for an offense b : a forfeiture or penalty paid to an injured party in a civil action
— in fine
: in short
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Origin of FINE
Middle English, from Anglo-French fin, fine, from Latin finis boundary, end
2fine
verb
finedfin·ing
Definition of FINE
transitive verb
: to impose a fine on : punish by a fine
First Known Use of FINE
1559
3fine
adjective
: good, acceptable, or satisfactory
—used in an ironic way to refer to things that are not good or acceptable
: very good
fin·erfin·est
Full Definition of FINE
1
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>
2
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
3
: delicate, subtle, or sensitive in quality, perception, or discrimination <a fine distinction>
4
: superior in kind, quality, or appearance : excellent <a fine job> <a fine day> <fine wines>
5
a : ornate 1 <fine writing> b : marked by or affecting elegance or refinement <fine manners>
6
a : very well <feel fine> b : all right <that's fine with me>
7
—used as an intensive <the leader, in a fine frenzy, beheaded one of his wives — Brian Crozier>
— fine·ness \ˈfīn-nəs\ noun
See fine defined for English-language learners
Origin of FINE
Middle English fin, from Anglo-French, from Latin finis, noun, end, limit
First Known Use: 13th century
4fine
adverb
: not badly or poorly : well enough
: in an elegant and graceful way
: in small pieces
Full Definition of FINE
2
: with a very narrow margin of time or space <she had not intended to cut her escape so fine — Melinda Beck et al.>
See fine defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of FINE
14th century
Related to FINE
- Synonyms
- acceptably, adequately, all right, alright, creditably, decently, well, good, middlingly, nicely, OK (or okay), passably, respectably, satisfactorily, serviceably, so-so, sufficiently, tolerably
- Antonyms
- bad, badly, deficiently, ill, inadequately, insufficiently, intolerably, poorly, unacceptably, unsatisfactorily
5fine
verb
finedfin·ing
Definition of FINE
transitive verb
2
: to make finer in quality or size
intransitive verb
1
: to become pure or clear <the ale will fine>
2
: to become smaller in lines or proportions
First Known Use of FINE
14th century
6fine
noun fi·ne \ˈfē-(ˌ)nā\
Definition of FINE
: end —used as a direction in music to mark the closing point after a repeat
Origin of FINE
Italian, from Latin finis end
First Known Use: circa 1798
FINER Defined for Kids
1fine
noun \ˈfīn\
Definition of FINE for Kids
: a sum of money to be paid as a punishment
2fine
verb
finedfin·ing
Definition of FINE for Kids
: to punish by requiring payment of a sum of money
3fine
adjective
fin·erfin·est
Definition of FINE for Kids
1
: very good in quality or appearance <a fine swimmer> <a fine garden>
2
: satisfactory <That's fine with me.>
3
: very small or thin <fine print>
4
: made up of very small pieces <fine sand>
— fine·ly adverb <finely dressed> <finely ground pepper>
— fine·ness noun
4fine
adverb
Definition of FINE for Kids
: very well <I'm doing fine.>
Medical Dictionary
fine
adjective \ˈfīn\
fin·erfin·est
Medical Definition of FINE
of bodily tremors : of slight excursion
Learn More About FINE
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