refined

[ ri-fahynd ]

adjective

1. having or showing well-bred feeling, taste, etc.:

   refined people.

   Synonyms: elegant, genteel, courtly, civilized, courteous, polite, polished, cultivated

   Antonyms: crude, coarse, rude

2. freed or free from coarseness, vulgarity, etc.:

   refined taste.

3. freed from impurities:

   refined sugar.

   Synonyms: distilled

4. very subtle, precise, or exact:

   refined distinctions.

refined

/ rɪˈfaɪnd /

adjective

1. not coarse or vulgar; genteel, elegant, or polite
2. subtle; discriminating
3. freed from impurities; purified

Other Words From

• re·fin·ed·ly [ri-, fahy, -nid-lee, -, fahynd, -], adverb
• re·fined·ness noun
• half-re·fined adjective
• nonre·fined adjective
• quasi-re·fined adjective
• semi·re·fined adjective
• super·re·fined adjective
• ultra·re·fined adjective
• well-re·fined adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of refined¹

First recorded in 1565–75; refine + -ed ²

Example Sentences

The number of barrels of refined petroleum it can receive is capped by the United Nations at 500,000 annually, well below the amount it needs.

From BBC

"We have now demonstrated that gel coating works. The gel can be refined and adjusted depending on the purpose. And in principle, the method can be used for all types of foods and beverages," says Gabriele D'Oria.

From Science Daily

His last high-profile appearance rapping was on Prince Po and Oh No’s 2013 track “U Already,” where he proved that despite his challenges, his lyrics and flow were as definitively refined as ever.

From Los Angeles Times

For these reasons, moving toward a more sustainable diet -- one that leans away from resource-intensive foods like red meat, for instance -- can ease the pressure on the environment, with the added benefit of being healthier, especially when the diet also involves cutting back on refined sugars and starches and increasing nutrient-dense foods such like vegetables and legumes.

From Science Daily

"Our finding points to a very specific part of the large calcium channel that next-generation drugs can target to provide pain relief in a similar way to opioids. Instead of blocking the calcium channel completely, which is a less refined method, future drugs can be designed to fine-tune calcium channel activity in pain signalling," says Antonios Pantazis.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• classy
• cultivated
• delicate
• discriminating
• elegant
• genteel
• polished
• precise
• sophisticated
• subtle
• tasteful
• urbane