verb Uncommon

refine

rih-FYN

Refine (verb) means to remove impurities from a raw substance to make it purer. Example: “The plant refines crude oil into gasoline.”

verb

To remove impurities from a raw substance to make it purer.

"The plant refines crude oil into gasoline."

To improve something gradually by making small, careful adjustments.

"She refined her essay through several drafts."

"The team refined their approach after early testing."

How to use refine

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo purify a raw material, or to gradually make an idea, skill, or process better.

Common pairings

refine oil refine a technique refine sugar

Word forms

refined past tense, refines singular

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Can you complete this real example?

The plant _____ crude oil into gasoline.

Etymology

From re- plus fine, in the sense "to make fine or pure."

Synonyms

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down polish elaborate complicate rectify rarify fine-tune

Related words

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Rhymes for refine

nine mine wine line sine dine fine vine pine tine thine shine

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Frequently asked questions

What does “refine” mean?

The word “refine” means to remove impurities from a raw substance to make it purer. In plain terms, to purify a raw material, or to gradually make an idea, skill, or process better.

How do you pronounce “refine”?

“Refine” is pronounced rih-FYN (/ɹɪˈfaɪn/ in IPA).

How do you use “refine” in a sentence?

Here is “refine” used in a sentence: “The plant refines crude oil into gasoline.”

What part of speech is “refine”?

“Refine” is a verb.

Is “refine” a common word?

“Refine” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “refine” have?

“Refine” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to remove impurities from a raw substance to make it purer.

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