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
This minimalist approach is refined, though perhaps too plain.
—
Charles Jefferies, PC Magazine, 18 Sep. 2025
Precita Social leans into comfort, connection, and refined yet approachable fare.
—Chelsea Davis, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Our bags come next spring will be slouchy, adorned and textured or refined in geometric top-handle shapes.
—Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 17 Sep. 2025
If refined, this kind of treatment could be adapted for safe, at-home treatments in the future.
—New Atlas, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for refine
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Charles Jefferies, PC Magazine, 18 Sep. 2025
Precita Social leans into comfort, connection, and refined yet approachable fare.
—Chelsea Davis, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Our bags come next spring will be slouchy, adorned and textured or refined in geometric top-handle shapes.
—Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 17 Sep. 2025
If refined, this kind of treatment could be adapted for safe, at-home treatments in the future.
—New Atlas, 16 Sep. 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 20 Sep. 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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