refined; refining
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
1
: to become pure or perfected
2
: to make improvement by introducing subtleties or distinctions
refiner
noun
Synonyms
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
While great strides were made to improve and build upon the foundation that Willis Haviland Carrier laid in the first few decades following its introduction, progress in the industry has since been more incremental, focusing on refining and maintaining established practices.
—
Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 18 Dec. 2024
Startups tend to pivot to refine their product-market fit or better meet customer expectations.
—Parna Sarkar-Basu, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024
With the Artist plan, users receive access to the professional-level tools to refine their sound, distribute their music, and grow their audience.
—Jem Aswad, Variety, 17 Dec. 2024
Both farms have partnered over the years with sustainability experts at UC Davis, one of the top agricultural schools in the country, to refine their aquaculture practices.
—Becky Duffett, Bon Appétit, 17 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for refine 
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Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 18 Dec. 2024
Startups tend to pivot to refine their product-market fit or better meet customer expectations.
—Parna Sarkar-Basu, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024
With the Artist plan, users receive access to the professional-level tools to refine their sound, distribute their music, and grow their audience.
—Jem Aswad, Variety, 17 Dec. 2024
Both farms have partnered over the years with sustainability experts at UC Davis, one of the top agricultural schools in the country, to refine their aquaculture practices.
—Becky Duffett, Bon Appétit, 17 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for refine
Dictionary Entries Near refine
Cite this Entry
“Refine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/refine. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
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