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
Getty Images Layers that refine the face The front layers of the butterfly bob begin at or slightly below the cheekbone, creating a visual effect that lengthens and defines the face without being too harsh.
—
Dulce Moncada, Glamour, 23 Dec. 2025
The eatery was casual enough to make the parents of a toddler (and the toddler herself) feel comfortable, while the cuisine was still refined.
—Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 23 Dec. 2025
Fluid yet substantial, this favorite from Cos skims the body with soft folds that are both cocooning and refined.
—Cortne Bonilla, Vogue, 23 Dec. 2025
Saturn will be here for two years, refining your standards, boundaries, and commitments.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 23 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for refine
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Dulce Moncada, Glamour, 23 Dec. 2025
The eatery was casual enough to make the parents of a toddler (and the toddler herself) feel comfortable, while the cuisine was still refined.
—Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 23 Dec. 2025
Fluid yet substantial, this favorite from Cos skims the body with soft folds that are both cocooning and refined.
—Cortne Bonilla, Vogue, 23 Dec. 2025
Saturn will be here for two years, refining your standards, boundaries, and commitments.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 23 Dec. 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 31 Dec. 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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