1 fine
/ˈfaɪn/
adjective
finer;
finest
1 fine
/ˈfaɪn/
adjective
finer;
finest
Britannica Dictionary definition of FINE
1
a
not used before a noun
:
good, acceptable, or satisfactory
:
ok
-
That's fine with me.
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“Is there anything wrong?” “No, everything's fine.”
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The house looks fine to me.
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“Would you like more coffee?” “No, I'm fine, thanks.” [=I am happy with the amount of coffee I have now]
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“Would you like more coffee?” “No, this is fine, thanks.” [=no, this is as much as I want]
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That's just fine and dandy with me. [=that is fine with me; I approve of that]
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◊ Fine is often used as a response to show acceptance or approval. “I have to leave early, all right?” “Fine.” [+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples
b
— used in an ironic way to refer to things that are not good or acceptable
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This is a fine mess we're in.
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“Those kids are no good.” “You're a fine one to talk, considering all the trouble you caused when you were young.” [=you should not say bad things about others because those same things could be said about you]
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2
a
always used before a noun
:
very good
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I think that's a fine idea.
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You did a fine job.
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The house is in fine shape.
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This is a fine example of what can go wrong when one person is given too much power.
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They make a fine pair. [=they are well suited to each other]
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She has a fine grasp of the problem. [=she understands the problem very well]
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He was in fine form. [=he performed very well]
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b
always used before a noun
:
deserving praise, admiration, or respect
-
He's a fine young man.
-
a fine musician
-
a fine mind
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3
not used before a noun
:
well or healthy
:
not sick or injured
-
I feel fine.
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“Did you hurt yourself?” “No, I'm fine.”
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4
of weather
:
sunny and pleasant
-
a fine spring day
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The weather has been fine lately.
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5
a
:
very thin
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fine thread/wire/yarn
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Her head was covered with fine, silky hair.
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b
:
very sharp or narrow
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a knife with a fine edge
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a pen/brush with a fine tip
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:
having a sharp point
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a fine pen/brush
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c
:
made up of very small pieces, drops, etc.
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fine sand/dust/powder
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fine gravel
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a fine mist/spray
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d
:
very small
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The print was so fine that I could barely read it.
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very fine details on the sculpture
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— see also fine print
e
:
having very small holes
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a fine mesh
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f
:
small and delicate
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She has fine features. [=her eyes, nose, and mouth are small and delicate]
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6
a
:
small and done with a lot of care and accuracy
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fine measurements
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fine movements
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b
:
small and difficult to see or understand
:
subtle
-
a fine distinction
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He's still learning the finer points of the job.
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Some very fine legal points were involved.
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There's a fine line [=a very small difference] between being helpful and being intrusive.
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7
a
always used before a noun
:
expensive and of high quality
-
fine dining
-
fine china
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b
:
formal and graceful
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fine handwriting
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His manners are very fine. [=refined]
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a fine figure of a man/woman
— see 1figure
chance would be a fine thing
— see 1chance
finest hour
— see hour
not to put too fine a point on it
— used in an ironic way to introduce a very strong and usually critical statement
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Not to put too fine a point on it, (but) his suggestions have been worthless.
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— finely
/ˈfaɪnli/
adverb
-
The onions should be finely chopped. [=should be chopped in small pieces]
-
a finely judged response that was just right
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a finely balanced election that could go either way
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— fineness
/ˈfaɪnnəs/
noun
[noncount]
-
the fineness of the thread
-
fineness of detail
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2 fine
/ˈfaɪn/
adverb
2 fine
/ˈfaɪn/
adverb
Britannica Dictionary definition of FINE
somewhat informal
1
:
not badly or poorly
:
well enough
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She did fine on the test.
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My mother is doing fine, thank you.
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Everything was going fine.
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That suits me fine.
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This'll do fine for now.
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2
:
in an elegant and graceful way
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She talks and walks so fine, just like a great lady.
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3
used after a verb
:
in small pieces
-
The onions should be chopped fine. [=finely]
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3 fine
/ˈfaɪn/
noun
plural
fines
3 fine
/ˈfaɪn/
noun
plural
fines
Britannica Dictionary definition of FINE
[count]
:
an amount of money that you pay as a punishment for breaking a law or rule
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He had to pay a heavy fine for speeding.
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a fine of $500
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The judge imposed a fine on him.
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4 fine
/ˈfaɪn/
verb
fines;
fined;
fining
4 fine
/ˈfaɪn/
verb
fines;
fined;
fining
Britannica Dictionary definition of FINE
[+ object]
:
to require (someone) to pay a fine as a punishment
-
He was fined for speeding.
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The judge fined him $35.
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