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

At The Noortwyck, I’ve taken these refined techniques I’ve learned with high quality ingredients and presented them in a much more approachable, cost-effective fashion, creating an inviting atmosphere that feels accessible for an everyday neighborhood restaurant.

From Salon

But according to Carolyn Mair, a behavioral psychologist who created the University of Arts London’s Psychology of Fashion department, the tech billionaires are “choosing not to adhere to the sartorial codes of old-money elites, who tend to favor refined, understated luxury.”

From Salon

Mara is a better passer and more refined scorer than Kyle.

From Los Angeles Times

Jones discussed how he refined the gifts that made Jackson such a potent performer.

From Los Angeles Times

This is provisional data that's refined over a period of weeks.

From BBC

Related Words

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