refine

verb

re·​fine ri-ˈfīn 

refined; refining

transitive verb

1

: to free (something, such as metal, sugar, or oil) from impurities or unwanted material

2

: to free from moral imperfection : elevate

3

: to improve or perfect by pruning or polishing

refine a poetic style

4

: to reduce in vigor or intensity

5

: to free from what is coarse, vulgar, or uncouth

intransitive verb

1

: to become pure or perfected

2

: to make improvement by introducing subtleties or distinctions

refiner noun

Synonyms

• ameliorate
• amend
• better
• enhance
• enrich
• help
• improve
• meliorate
• perfect
• upgrade

Examples of refine in a Sentence

The inventor of the machine spent years refining the design.

The class is meant to help you refine your writing style.

Recent Examples on the Web

Make Adjustments Based On Q1 Insights One key step is refining your execution plan based on Q1 insights. —Expert Panel®, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025

Style it with: Satin wide-leg pants or dark denim, a slinky camisole, and a sleek clutch for a night-out look that feels effortless yet refined. —Ruhama Wolle, Glamour, 5 Mar. 2025

Pixel Drops, which arrive quarterly, refine and expand the features on Pixel phones. —Ars Technica, 4 Mar. 2025

That includes traffic collision avoidance systems, ground proximity warning systems, advanced weather radars, along with a multitude of other systems that are constantly being refined, Doyle explained. —Cathy Cassata, Health, 4 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1582, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for refine

• affine
• airline
• align
• aline
• assign
• baseline
• beamline
• benign
• bloodline
• bovine
• byline
• canine

Kids Definition

refine

verb

re·​fine ri-ˈfīn 

refined; refining

1

: to come or bring to a pure state

refine sugar

2

: to make or become improved

3

: to free from what is vulgar

4

: to improve by introducing something that makes a small difference

refined upon the older methods

refiner noun

Medical Definition

refine

transitive verb

re·​fine ri-ˈfīn 

refined; refining

: to free (as sugar or oil) from impurities or unwanted material