fine

/fain/

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Explanation of the Word "Fine"

Definition:
The word "fine" is an adjective that can have several meanings, but generally, it describes something that is of high quality, refined, or satisfactory.

Usage Instructions:

• Adjective: You can use "fine" to describe things that are good or satisfactory, or that have a high level of quality.
• Noun: It can also refer to a sum of money that someone must pay as a penalty (a fine).
• Verb: "Fine" can mean to issue a penalty or ticket to someone.

Meanings and Examples:

1. Of High Quality:

   • Example: "This is fine wine." (The wine is of high quality.)

2. Satisfactory Condition:

   • Example: "How are you?" "I’m fine, thank you!" (Everything is okay.)

3. Smooth Texture or Small Particles:

   • Example: "The cake flour is very fine." (The flour has small particles.)

4. Thin or Delicate:

   • Example: "She wore a fine necklace." (The necklace is delicate and elegant.)

5. Precise:

   • Example: "There is a fine distinction between the two words." (The difference is small but important.)

6. Penalty:

   • Example: "He had to pay a fine for parking illegally." (He had to pay money as a penalty.)

Advanced Usage:

• "Fine print": Refers to the details of a contract or agreement that are often overlooked but very important.

  • Example: "Make sure to read the fine print before signing the contract."

• "Fine distinction": A small but important difference between two things.

  • Example: "There’s a fine distinction between being rude and being honest."

Word Variants:

• Adverb: "Finely" (e.g., "The artist finely painted the details of the landscape.")
• Noun: "Fineness" (e.g., "The fineness of the fabric is impressive.")

Synonyms:

• Excellent
• Good
• Satisfactory
• Purified
• Delicate
• Refined

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• "Fine and dandy": This idiom means that everything is good or satisfactory.

  • Example: "Everything is fine and dandy at the moment."

• "Fine line": This phrase refers to a small difference or boundary between two things.

  • Example: "There’s a fine line between confidence and arrogance."

Summary:

The term "fine" is versatile in English, used to describe quality, texture, satisfaction, and even penalties. It can be applied in various contexts, making it a useful word for both casual and formal conversations.

Academic

Adjective

1. free from impurities; having a high or specified degree of purity
   • gold 21 carats fine
2. of textures that are smooth to the touch or substances consisting of relatively small particles
   • wood with a fine grain
   • fine powdery snow
   • fine rain
   • batiste is a cotton fabric with a fine weave
   • covered with a fine film of dust
3. characterized by elegance or refinement or accomplishment
   • fine wine
   • looking fine in her Easter suit
   • a fine gentleman
   • fine china and crystal
   • a fine violinist
   • the fine hand of a master
4. thin in thickness or diameter
   • a fine film of oil
   • fine hairs
   • read the fine print
5. minutely precise especially in differences in meaning
   • a fine distinction
6. being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
   • an all-right movie
   • the passengers were shaken up but are all right
   • is everything all right?
   • everything's fine
   • things are okay
   • dinner and the movies had been fine
   • another minute I'd have been fine

Verb

1. issue a ticket or a fine to as a penalty
   • I was fined for parking on the wrong side of the street
   • Move your car or else you will be ticketed!

Noun

1. money extracted as a penalty

Adverb

1. in a delicate manner
   • finely shaped features
   • her fine drawn body
2. an expression of agreement normally occurring at the beginning of a sentence

Synonyms

• all right
• o.k.
• ok
• okay
• hunky-dory
• ticket
• mulct
• amercement
• finely
• delicately
• exquisitely
• very well
• alright
• OK