fine print

American  

[fahyn] / faɪn /

noun

1. printed matter in small-sized type.

2. the detailed wording of a contract, lease, insurance policy, or the like, often set in type smaller than the main body of the document and including general restrictions or qualifications that could be considered disadvantageous.

   Make sure you read the fine print before signing.

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fine print British  

noun

1. Also called: small print.  matter set in small type, as in a contract, esp considered as containing unfavourable conditions that the signer might overlook

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Other Word Forms

• fine-print adjective

Etymology

Origin of fine print

First recorded in 1955–60

Example Sentences

This is why travelers should pay heed to the fine print, he said.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 1, 2026

Unfortunately, signs for one of Thursday’s single-day promotions for children’s clothing were displayed on Wednesday, and many customers didn’t notice the next day’s date in the fine print.

From Barron's • Mar. 25, 2026

There’s always some story buried in court filings, hidden in regulatory fine print, happening in some courthouse you may not have heard of that actually matters.

From Slate • Feb. 28, 2026

Instead, Jerry takes every shortcut he can without considering the ethical fine print, aligning himself with Carl and Gaear and corrupting his soul in the process.

From Salon • Feb. 7, 2026

A can of a mothproofing material containing DDD, for example, carries in very fine print the warning that its contents are under pressure and that it may burst if exposed to heat or open flame.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson