noun B2 Upper-Intermediate Uncommon

refinery

rih-FEYE-nuh-rih

Refinery (noun) means a facility where raw materials such as oil, sugar, or metal ore are processed and purified. Example: “The oil refinery employs thousands of workers.”

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noun

A facility where raw materials such as oil, sugar, or metal ore are processed and purified.

"The oil refinery employs thousands of workers."

"Sugar refineries process raw cane into the white sugar we buy."

How to use refinery

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA plant or factory where a raw material is purified into a usable product.

Common pairings

oil refinery sugar refinery

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Word forms

refineries plural

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The oil _____ employs thousands of workers.

Etymology

From refine plus the place-noun suffix -ry.

Rhymes for refinery

very every fiery query leery emery artery celery bakery finery ornery misery

See all rhymes for refinery →

Frequently asked questions

What does “refinery” mean?

The word “refinery” means a facility where raw materials such as oil, sugar, or metal ore are processed and purified. In plain terms, a plant or factory where a raw material is purified into a usable product.

How do you pronounce “refinery”?

“Refinery” is pronounced rih-FEYE-nuh-rih (/rɪˈfaɪnərɪ/ in IPA).

How do you use “refinery” in a sentence?

Here is “refinery” used in a sentence: “The oil refinery employs thousands of workers.”

What part of speech is “refinery”?

“Refinery” is a noun.

Is “refinery” a common word?

“Refinery” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.