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- pronunciation:
- rih
faIn
- parts of speech:
- transitive verb, intransitive verb
- features:
- Word Combinations (verb), Word Explorer
| part of speech: |
transitive verb |
| inflections: |
refines, refining, refined |
| definition 1: |
to make pure or fine by removing unwanted elements.
Raw cane juice is refined to make sugar.Wheat is refined by removing the natural bran surrounding the kernel.
- synonyms:
- purify, rarefy
- antonyms:
- adulterate
- similar words:
- clarify, clean, cultivate, distill, filter, filtrate, fine, isolate, process, rectify, sift, strain, treat
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| definition 2: |
to bring to a more polished, elegant, or cultured state.
If you want to fit in with her family, you'll have to refine your table manners.- synonyms:
- cultivate
- antonyms:
- coarsen
- similar words:
- civilize, cleanse, elevate, ennoble, improve, perfect, polish, purge, purify
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| definition 3: |
of writing or speaking, to make clearer or more sophisticated through precision, subtlety, or elegance of wording.
This is just the first draft of my essay; I'm planning to refine it. |
| related words: |
concentrate, culture, expurgate, smooth |
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| part of speech: |
intransitive verb |
| definition: |
to make subtle or precise distinctions in language or thought.
- synonyms:
- subtilize
- similar words:
- discriminate, split hairs
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| derivations: |
refined (adj.), refiner (n.) |
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