refine

verb

make more precise or increase the discriminatory powers of

attenuate or reduce in vigor, strength, or intensity by polishing or purifying

reduce to a fine, unmixed, or pure state

treat or prepare so as to put in a usable condition

make more complex, intricate, or richer

improve or perfect by pruning or polishing

Roots

rere- · Latin · again finis-fin · Latin · end, boundary

Synonyms for refine

subtilizev rectifyv polishv honev improvev purifyv distillv sharpenv elaboratev developv enhancev

Synonyms & related words for refine

Find synonyms, related words, and the definition of refine — including subtilize, rectify, polish, hone, improve, purify. Dendril is a free visual thesaurus that shows them on an interactive map where stronger matches sit closer to the center — no signup, no ads.

Words related to refine

Explore words related to refine — words associated with it, words that go with it, and its nearest matches in meaning. Related words include superrefine, refinable, overrefine, refiner, refinement, refinedness, retool, revise. Click any word to make it the center of the map and keep exploring the web of connections.

Synonyms for refine

Common synonyms for refine include subtilize, rectify, polish, hone, improve, purify, distill, sharpen — words that share a close meaning. Hover or tap any word on the map for its definition and part of speech.

Where does refine come from?

The word refine breaks down into 2 roots of Latin origin: re-, from Latin re (“again”); and -fin, from Latin finis (“end, boundary”). Explore each root to see other English words built from the same source.