You use fine to describe something that you admire and think is very good.
There is a fine view of the countryside.
This is a fine book.
...London's finest art deco cinema.
Synonyms: excellent, good, great [informal], striking More Synonyms of fine
finelyadverb [ADVERB -ed]
They are finely engineered boats.
2. adjective [verb-link ADJECTIVE]
If you say that you are fine, you mean that you are in good health or reasonably happy.
Lina is fine and sends you her love and best wishes.
Synonyms: well, fit, healthy, in good health More Synonyms of fine
3. adjective [usually verb-link ADJECTIVE]
If you say that something is fine, you mean that it is satisfactory or acceptable.
The skiing is fine.
Everything was going to be just fine.
It's fine to ask questions as we go along, but it's better if you wait until we havefinished.
Synonyms: satisfactory, good, all right, suitable More Synonyms of fine
Fine is also an adverb.
All the instruments are working fine.
4. convention
You say 'fine' or 'that's fine' to show that you do not object to an arrangement, action, or situation that hasbeen suggested.
[formulae]
If competition is the best way to achieve it, then, fine.
If you don't want to give it to me, that's fine, I don't mind.
'It'll take me a couple of days.'—'That's fine with me.'
5. adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
Something that is fine is very delicate, narrow, or small.
The heat scorched the fine hairs on her arms.
The ship has come to rest on the fine sand.
Synonyms: thin, small, light, narrow More Synonyms of fine
finelyadverb [ADVERB with verb]
Chop the ingredients finely and mix them together.
finenessuncountable noun
That fineness of the tip is what controls the resolution of the image.
6. adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
Fine objects or clothing are of good quality, delicate, and expensive.
We waited in our fine clothes.
She'll wear fine jewellery wherever she goes.
Synonyms: stylish, expensive, elegant, refined More Synonyms of fine
7. adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
A fine detail or distinction is very delicate, small, or exact.
The market likes the broad outline but is reserving judgment on the fine detail.
Synonyms: minute, exact, precise, nice More Synonyms of fine
finelyadverb [usually ADVERB -ed, oft ADVERB after verb]
They had to take the finely balanced decision to let the visit proceed.
This is a fast-moving but finely observed drama.
finenessuncountable noun
...a sense of quality and fineness of detail. [+ of]
8. adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
A fine person is someone you consider good, moral, and worth admiring.
[approval]
I was with fine people doing a good job.
He was an excellent journalist and a very fine man.
Synonyms: worthy, good, excellent, deserving More Synonyms of fine
9. adjective
When the weather is fine, the sun is shining and it is not raining.
He might be doing a spot of gardening if the weather is fine.
Synonyms: sunny, clear, fair, dry More Synonyms of fine
More Synonyms of fine
fine punishment
(faɪn)
Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense fines, present participle fining, past tense, past participle fined
1. countable noun
A fine is a punishment in which a person is ordered to pay a sum of money because they have done somethingillegal or broken a rule.
Synonyms: penalty, damages, punishment, forfeit More Synonyms of fine
2. verb
If someone is fined, they are punished by being ordered to pay a sum of money because they have done something illegal orbroken a rule.
She was fined £300 and banned from driving for one month. [beVERB-ed]
This school has set a precedent by fining pupils who break the rules. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: penalize, charge, punish, mulct More Synonyms of fine
fine in British English1
(faɪn)
adjective
1.
excellent or choice in quality; very good of its kind
a fine speech
2.
superior in skill, ability, or accomplishment
a fine violinist
3.
(of weather) clear and dry
4.
enjoyable or satisfying
a fine time
5. (postpositive) informal
quite well; in satisfactory health
I feel fine
6.
satisfactory; acceptable
that's fine by me
7.
of delicate composition or careful workmanship
fine crystal
8.
(of precious metals) pure or having a high or specified degree of purity
fine silver
gold 98 per cent fine
9.
subtle in perception; discriminating
a fine eye for antique brasses
10.
abstruse or subtle
a fine point in argument
11.
very thin or slender
fine hair
12.
very small
fine dust
fine print
13.
(of edges, blades, etc) sharp; keen
14.
ornate, showy, or smart
15.
good-looking; handsome
a fine young woman
16.
polished, elegant, or refined
a fine gentleman
17.
morally upright and commendable
a fine man
18. cricket
(of a fielding position) oblique to and behind the wicket
fine leg
19. (prenominal) informal
disappointing or terrible
a fine mess
adverb
20. informal
quite well; all right
that suits me fine
21. a nonstandard word for finely
22. billiards, snooker
(of a stroke on the cue ball) so as to merely brush the object ball
23. cut it fine
verb
24.
to make or become finer; refine
25. (often foll bydown or away)
to make or become smaller
26. (transitive)
to clarify (wine, etc) by adding finings
27. (transitive) billiards, snooker
to hit (a cue ball) fine
28. (intransitive; foll byup) Australian and New Zealand informal
(of the weather) to become fine
Word origin
C13: from Old French fin, from Latin fīnis end, boundary, as in fīnis honōrum the highest degree of honour
fine in British English2
(faɪn)
noun
1.
a certain amount of money exacted as a penalty
a parking fine
2.
a payment made by a tenant at the start of his or her tenancy to reduce the subsequent rent; premium
3. feudal law
a sum of money paid by a man to his lord, esp for the privilege of transferring his land to another
4.
a method of transferring land in England by bringing a fictitious law suit: abolished 1833
5. in fine
verb
6. (transitive)
to impose a fine on
Word origin
C12 (in the sense: conclusion, settlement): from Old French fin; see fine1
fine in British English3
(ˈfiːneɪ)
noun music
1.
the point at which a piece is to end, usually after a da capo or dal segno
2.
an ending or finale
Word origin
Italian, from Latin fīnis end
fine in British English4
French (fin)
noun
brandy of ordinary quality
Word origin
literally: fine
fine in American English1
(faɪn)
adjectiveWord forms: ˈfiner or ˈfinest
1. Obsolete
finished; perfected
2.
superior in quality; better than average; excellent; very good
a fine sample
3.
of exceptional character or ability
a fine teacher
4.
with no impurities; refined
5.
containing a specified proportion of pure metal
said usually of gold or silver
6.
in good health; very well
7.
clear and bright
said of the weather
8.
a.
not heavy or gross
b.
not coarse; in very small particles
fine sand
9.
a.
very thin or slender
fine thread
b.
very small
fine print
10.
sharp; keen
a knife with a fine edge
11.
a.
discriminating; subtle
fine distinctions
b.
involving precise accuracy
a fine adjustment
12.
of delicate or subtle composition or character
fine lace
13. Rare
attractive; handsome
a fine child
14.
trained and developed physically to the maximum extent
said of athletes, horses, etc.
15.
a.
elegant
b.
too elegant; showy
fine writing
adverbWord forms: ˈfiner or ˈfinest
16.
finely
17. Informal
very well; all right
verb transitive, verb intransitiveWord forms: fined or ˈfining
18.
to make or become fine or finer
Word origin
ME fin < OFr < ML finus, for L finis, an end, limit: see finish
fine in American English2
(faɪn)
noun
1.
a finish; end; conclusion: obs. except in in fine (see phrase below)
2.
a sum of money paid to settle a matter; esp., a sum required to be paid as punishmentor penalty for an offense
verb transitiveWord forms: fined or ˈfining
3.
to require the payment of a fine from
Idioms:
in fine
Word origin
ME < OFr fin < L finis: see finish
fine in American English3
(ˈfineɪ)
Italian
noun
Musical Direction
the end: a note marking the close of a repetition
Word origin
It < L finis: see finish
More idioms containing
fine
cut it fine
chance would be a fine thing
have something down to a fine art
not to put too fine a point on it
a fine line
Examples of 'fine' in a sentence
fine
This was the only winning play and a really fine one at that.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Everything was fine and he was clearly happy enough with his bride to marry her.
The Sun (2016)
If they feel he has a case to answer then he will face another fine.
The Sun (2016)
The council website says all cash from fines will go on transport services.
The Sun (2016)
This one still delivers instant glow and smooths out fine lines.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Those who refuse to pay the fine can end up going to prison.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Britain must pay no fine for honouring our war dead.
The Sun (2016)
He was sentenced to two years on probation and given a $100,000 fine.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
My doctor says it's fine.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
I have fine, straight hair, so drying it take h no more than five minutes a day.
The Sun (2016)
That was a messy race but his previous form still gives him a fine chance.
The Sun (2016)
We got our money back in fine wine.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The coaches assured him that he was fine and merely suffering after a series of hard stages.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
History is littered with examples of fine minds corrupted by their engagement with brute power.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
It was not one of her finest moments.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
This should push forward all the finer hairs around the hairline.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Everything was fine until my girlfriend dropped a bombshell last week.
The Sun (2008)
Two thirds of deaths on rural roads happen during the day in fine weather.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
There is a fine line between definition and alienation.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The criminally good comedy series comes to an end in fine style.
The Sun (2012)
Bolt set up a special fund from which to pay the fines he incurred for these misdemeanours.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Larger forms make fine background with bright green summer foliage.
Bloom, Adrian Winter Garden Glory (1993)
Time enough to worry about the finer details when you are ready for a family.
The Sun (2016)
The usual petty fine is not enough.
The Sun (2016)
It was fun to watch so many fine players taken out of their comfort zone.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Pubs caught out in this way face heavy fines or the threat of having their licence revoked.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
People who egg on offenders will also be hit with fines.
The Sun (2015)
You get a very fine layer over your food.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Just once a month would be fine.
The Sun (2011)
The bank was also fined for failing properly to manage the way its traders took part in the gold fix.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
It is fine to say that you really like a piece but it is a bit out of your price range.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Everything was going to be fine.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
He said: 'It was a fine spell of bowling.
The Sun (2013)
Word lists with
fine
Weather descriptions
In other languages
fine
British English: fine /faɪn/ ADJECTIVE
sunny When the weather is fine, it is dry and sunny.
It is a fine day.
American English: fine
Arabic: مـُمْتَاز رقيق
Brazilian Portuguese: agradável
Chinese: 优良的
Croatian: lijep
Czech: pěkný počasí
Danish: fin
Dutch: mooi
European Spanish: bueno excelente
Finnish: hieno hyvä
French: bon
German: ausgezeichnet
Greek: περίφημος
Italian: bello
Japanese: 見事な
Korean: 좋은
Norwegian: fin
Polish: świetny
European Portuguese: bom
Romanian: frumosdespre vreme
Russian: очень хороший
Latin American Spanish: bueno de calidad
Swedish: bra
Thai: ดี
Turkish: güzel
Ukrainian: чудовий
Vietnamese: tốt
British English: fine /faɪn/ ADJECTIVE
well or happy If you say that you are fine, you mean that you are well or happy.
I feel fine now.
American English: fine
Arabic: عَلَى ما يُرَام
Brazilian Portuguese: bem
Chinese: 很好
Croatian: dobro
Czech: výborně
Danish: fint
Dutch: prima
European Spanish: bien
Finnish: hienosti
French: bien
German: tadellos
Greek: περίφημα
Italian: bene
Japanese: 見事に
Korean: 건강한
Norwegian: utmerket
Polish: pięknie
European Portuguese: bem
Romanian: bine
Russian: отлично
Latin American Spanish: bien
Swedish: fint
Thai: สบายดี
Turkish: pekala
Ukrainian: добре
Vietnamese: tốt tốt đẹp
British English: fine /faɪn/ NOUN
A fine is money that a person is ordered to pay because they have done something wrong.
American English: fine
Arabic: غَرَامَة
Brazilian Portuguese: multa
Chinese: 罚款
Croatian: kazna
Czech: pokuta
Danish: bøde
Dutch: boete
European Spanish: multa
Finnish: sakko
French: amende
German: Geldstrafe
Greek: πρόστιμο
Italian: multa
Japanese: 罰金
Korean: 벌금
Norwegian: bot
Polish: grzywna
European Portuguese: multa
Romanian: amendă
Russian: штраф
Latin American Spanish: multa
Swedish: böter
Thai: ค่าปรับ
Turkish: ceza
Ukrainian: штраф
Vietnamese: tiền phạt
British English: fine /faɪn/ ADJECTIVE
thin Something that is fine is very thin.
She sewed the cloth with fine thread.
American English: fine
Arabic: رَفِيع
Brazilian Portuguese: fino
Chinese: 细的
Croatian: tanak
Czech: tenký
Danish: tynd
Dutch: dun
European Spanish: fino
Finnish: ohut
French: fin
German: fine
Greek: λεπτός
Italian: fino
Japanese: とても細い
Korean: 가느다란
Norwegian: fin
Polish: drobny
European Portuguese: fino
Romanian: subțire
Russian: тонкий
Latin American Spanish: delgado
Swedish: fin
Thai: ผอม บาง ละเอียด
Turkish: ince
Ukrainian: тонкий
Vietnamese: thanh mảnh
British English: fine VERB
If someone is fined, they are punished by being ordered to pay a sum of money because they have done something illegal or broken a rule.
She was fined and banned from driving for one month.
American English: fine
Brazilian Portuguese: multar
Chinese: 罚款
European Spanish: multar
French: donner une amende à
German: mit einer Geldstrafe belegen
Italian: multare
Japanese: 罰金を科する
Korean: 벌금을 물다
European Portuguese: multar
Latin American Spanish: multar
All related terms of 'fine'
al fine
to the end
in fine
in short; briefly
fine art
Painting and sculpture, in which objects are produced that are beautiful rather than useful , can be referred to as fine art or as the fine arts .
fine-cut
(of tobacco ) finely cut or shredded
fine-draw
to sew together so finely that the join is scarcely noticeable
fine-drew
to sew together so finely that the join is scarcely noticeable
Fine Gael
one of the major political parties in the Republic of Ireland , formed in 1933
fine job
You use fine to describe something that you admire and think is very good.
fine leg
a fielding position between long leg and square leg
fine-tune
If you fine-tune something, you make very small and precise changes to it in order to make it as successful or effective as it possibly can be.
fine wine
Wine is an alcoholic drink which is made from grapes . You can also refer to alcoholic drinks made from other fruits or vegetables as wine .
spot fine
a fine imposed immediately , without further legal process
fine-drawn
(of arguments , distinctions , etc) precise or subtle
fine effort
If you make an effort to do something, you try very hard to do it.
fine-grain
having or producing an image with grain of inconspicuous size
fine player
A player in a sport or game is a person who takes part, either as a job or for fun .
fine print
In a contract or agreement , the fine print is the same as the → small print .
fine-tuning
delicate adjustment
fine-grained
(of wood, leather , etc) having a fine smooth even grain
parking fine
a punishment in which a person is ordered to pay a sum of money because they have parked a vehicle somewhere illegally
speeding fine
a fine for breaking the speed limit while driving a vehicle
a fine line
a point at which it is difficult to distinguish between two different activities or situations , especially when one is acceptable , and the other is not
cut it fine
to not leave much time to get somewhere or do something and so to be nearly late
fine structure
the splitting of a spectral line into two or more closely spaced components as a result of interaction between the spin and orbital angular momenta of the atomic electrons
in fine fettle
If you say that someone or something is in fine fettle , you mean that they are in very good health or condition .
fine-tooth comb
a comb with fine teeth set closely together
fine-toothed comb
a comb with fine, closely set teeth
in fine feather
in very good humor, health , or form
ja well no fine
used to indicate reluctant acceptance
medium-fine pen
a pen with a fairly small point
on-the-spot fine
a fine that is charged immediately upon being caught and found guilty of a crime
small/fine print
The small print or the fine print of something such as an advertisement or a contract consists of the technical details and legal conditions , which are often printed in much smaller letters than the rest of the text .
fixed penalty (fine)
a fine of a fixed amount of money for a particular offence
a fine kettle of fish
an awkward situation ; mess
with a fine-tooth comb
very carefully and with great attention to detail
British Standard fine thread
a screw thread having a Whitworth profile but a finer pitch for a given diameter
the small print
the part of a contract , agreement , or advertisement which contains important legal information, often in very small writing
chance would be a fine thing
said to mean that something that you would like to happen is very unlikely
get something down to a fine art
to become highly proficient at something through practice
go over with a fine-tooth comb
to examine very thoroughly
go over with a fine-toothed comb
to examine very carefully and thoroughly
have something down to a fine art
to know the best way of doing something because you have practised it a lot and have tried many different methods
not to put too fine a point on it
said to mean that what you are about to say may sound unpleasant , unkind , or critical
tread a fine/delicate/narrow line/path
If someone is treading a fine line or path , they are acting carefully because they have to avoid making a serious mistake , especially in a situation where they have to deal with two opposing demands .
have got something down to a fine art
If you have got something down to a fine art , you are able to do it in a very skilful or efficient way because you have had a lot of experience of doing it.
go over sth with a fine-tooth comb/go through sth with a fine-tooth comb
If you say that you will go over something with a fine-tooth comb or go through something with a fine-tooth comb , you are emphasizing that you will search it thoroughly or examine it very carefully.
Chinese translation of 'fine'
fine
(faɪn)
adj
(= satisfactory) 还(還)不错(錯)的 (hái bùcuò de)
(= excellent)[object, person]好的 (hǎo de)
(in texture)[hair, thread, powder, sand]细(細)的 (xì de)