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
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
Each pitch gives you a chance to refine your messaging, address weaknesses, and improve your delivery.
—
Abdo Riani, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
Besides his new devotion to the war and his wife, Schiele also refined his technical skills and style during his late era.
—Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Mar. 2025
Attackers are refining their methods, making scams like fake CAPTCHAs, phishing emails and deceptive pop-ups more convincing than ever.
—Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, FOXNews.com, 27 Mar. 2025
The flared bristle pattern helps refine shape and style, while the oval shape and ergonomic handle make styling effortless.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for refine
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Abdo Riani, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
Besides his new devotion to the war and his wife, Schiele also refined his technical skills and style during his late era.
—Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Mar. 2025
Attackers are refining their methods, making scams like fake CAPTCHAs, phishing emails and deceptive pop-ups more convincing than ever.
—Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, FOXNews.com, 27 Mar. 2025
The flared bristle pattern helps refine shape and style, while the oval shape and ergonomic handle make styling effortless.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for refine
Cite this Entry
“Refine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/refine. Accessed 4 Apr. 2025.
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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