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
1
To remove impurities from a raw substance to make it purer.
"The plant refines crude oil into gasoline."
2
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 notesIn 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
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- refines
- Past tense
- refined
Fill the gap
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
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for refine
See all rhymes for refine →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.
