finesse
3 synonyms for finesse, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Skilful and delicate handling of a difficult or sensitive situation.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use finesse
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
with finesse
finesse a deal
lack finesse
Etymology
From Old French finesse, related to fin ("fine, refined"), ultimately from Latin finis ("an end") — the sense evolved from "refinement" to "a skilful, subtle way of getting what you want."
Full origin of finesse →Frequently asked questions
What does “finesse” mean?
The word “finesse” means skilful and delicate handling of a difficult or sensitive situation. In plain terms, doing something tricky or delicate with skill and subtlety rather than brute force.
How do you pronounce “finesse”?
“Finesse” is pronounced fih-NEHS (/fɪˈnɛs/ in IPA).
How do you use “finesse” in a sentence?
Here is “finesse” used in a sentence: “The negotiation required real finesse to keep both sides happy.”
What part of speech is “finesse”?
Depending on how it is used, “finesse” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “finesse” come from?
The word “finesse” comes from Latin. From Old French finesse, related to fin ("fine, refined"), ultimately from Latin finis ("an end") — the sense evolved from "refinement" to "a skilful, subtle way of getting what you want.".
Is “finesse” a common word?
“Finesse” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “finesse” have?
“Finesse” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: skilful and delicate handling of a difficult or sensitive situation.
