fine in English
- fine⇄adj. 1. of very high quality; very good; excellent.
Ex. a fine sermon, a fine view, a fine scholar. Everybody praised her fine singing. Lee was a fine general.
2. very small or thin.
Ex. fine wire. Thread is finer than rope.
(SY - fine⇄adv. 1. (Informal.) very well; excellently.
Ex. ""How are you?"" ""I'm doing fine.""
2. (in billiards and pool) so that the ball struck just grazes the object ball. - fine⇄expr. cut it fine, (Informal.) to allow a very fine margin of time or space.
Ex. He gave himself only ten minutes to get to work, which was cutting it fine. - fine⇄expr. in fine,
a. finally.
Ex. He sent me a challenge, ... which I restored, and in fine we met (Ben Jonson).
b. in a few words; briefly.
Ex. In fine, the Government may do its will (Thomas Brown). - fine⇄fine (1), adjective, finer,finest,adverb, verb, fined,fining.
- fine⇄fine (2), noun, verb, fined,fining.
- fine⇄fine (3), noun.
the end (a direction on a score in music marking the end of a musical passage that has to be repeated) - fine⇄noun 1. a sum of money paid as a punishment, especially for breaking a law or regulation.
2a. a fee paid by the tenant at the beginning of his tenancy or for the renewal of the lease.
b. a fee paid by a feudal tenant to the landlord on some - fine⇄v.i. to become fine or finer.
- fine⇄v.t. to cause to pay a fine.
Ex. The judge fined the driver twenty dollars for speeding. - fine⇄v.t. 1. to make fine or finer.
2. to refine; clarify.
Ex. To bring out all its native clarity, [the sherry] is fined with the whites of eggs (New Yorker).
fine in Gujarati ગુજરાતી
fine in Kashmiri कॉशुर
fine in Sindhi سنڌي
fine Deals on Amazon
Fine
Part of Speech
Adjective, Noun, Verb
Pronunciation
/faɪn/
Definitions
- Adjective: Of high quality, or in excellent condition (e.g., "The wine was of fine quality.")
- Adjective: Thin or slender (e.g., "She wore a fine thread of gold around her neck.")
- Adjective: Clear, delicate, or subtle (e.g., "He made a fine point in the discussion.")
- Noun: A monetary charge as a penalty for wrongdoing (e.g., "He had to pay a fine for speeding.")
- Verb: To impose a monetary penalty for an offense (e.g., "The court fined the company for violating regulations.")
Usage Examples
- "The restaurant serves fine cuisine from around the world."
- "He was fined $100 for parking in a no-parking zone."
- "She has a fine sense of humor that makes everyone laugh."
Etymology
From Middle English "fin" (meaning refined or of high quality), from Old French "fin" (meaning finished or pure), from Latin "finis" (meaning end, limit). The term also evolved from the legal sense of a monetary penalty, derived from the Old French "fin" meaning a settlement or payment.
Synonyms
- Excellent
- Superior
- First-rate
- Top-notch
- Outstanding
- Refined
- Exquisite
- Elegant
- Polished
- Imposing
Antonyms
- Poor
- Inferior
- Substandard
- Unrefined
- Rough
- Crude
- Imperfect
Translations in Major Global Languages
| Language | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Spanish | Fino | /ˈfi.no/ |
| French | Fin | /fɛ̃/ |
| German | Fein | /faɪn/ |
| Italian | Fine | /ˈfi.ne/ |
| Portuguese | Fino | /ˈfinu/ |
| Russian | Тонкий | /ˈtonkʲɪj/ |
| Chinese (Simplified) | 精细 | /jīng xì/ |
| Arabic | دقيق | /daqīq/ |
Translations in Indian Languages
| Language | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hindi | सुंदर | /sundar/ |
| Bengali | সুন্দর | /sundor/ |
| Gujarati | ફાઇન | /faɪn/ |
| Punjabi | ਸੁੰਦਰ | /sundar/ |
| Marathi | सुंदर | /sundar/ |
| Telugu | మంచి | /manchi/ |
| Tamil | அருமை | /arumaɪ/ |
Regional Pronunciation Variations
In some dialects or accents, the pronunciation of "fine" may change slightly. For example, in some British English accents, the "i" sound may be pronounced more sharply, while in American English, it may be softer. In other non-native English speakers, there might be slight variations in the articulation of the diphthong.
Historical Usage
The term "fine" has evolved over time. Originally used to describe something of superior quality in the 12th century, the word also developed a legal meaning in the Middle Ages, where it referred to a monetary penalty for a wrongdoing. It was historically used to describe something that was "finished" or "refined" in quality.
Cultural Nuances
In many cultures, the word "fine" is often used as a diplomatic response to avoid further discussion or confrontation. For example, in many social situations, when asked how someone is doing, they may respond with "I'm fine" even if things are not going well. This usage reflects the cultural tendency to maintain social harmony and avoid expressing dissatisfaction.
More Information
The word "fine" is one of the most versatile words in the English language. Its meanings range from describing something of high quality to a monetary penalty imposed by a legal authority. Its use as a description of quality, such as "fine wine" or "fine art," indicates excellence or refinement. Over time, "fine" has also been applied in various legal, financial, and colloquial contexts, making it a key part of both everyday language and more specialized fields.