Dictionary Entry
refine
Part of SpeechverbPronunciation/ɹɪˈfaɪn/Word FrequencyCommon (4.28)Curriculum FrequencyLess common (1)To purify; reduce to a fine, unmixed, or pure state; to free from impurities.
In a Sentence
“to refine gold”
Published Usage Examples
“Three days ago I would have been certain that people in the media knew what the word refine means.”
“I mean look at how they feigned ignorance about Obama's use of the word refine to somehow come out with the meaning that he was switching his position, when even the most cursory understanding of the word means to be more precise.”
This entry also appears in ReadingWillow Year 12 word lists, so students can move between the dictionary and year-level study sets.
Origin
Late 15th century: from French raffiner or Italian raffinare, from fine 'fine'.
Common Phrases
Related Words
Poetry examples for “refine”
Excerpts from the ReadingWillow English Library collection.
Poetry examples are still being gathered for this entry. They will appear here once matching poems are available in the library.
