B2 verb Neutral

refine

/rɪˈfaɪn/

To improve something by making small, incremental changes to make it more polished, efficient, or elegant. It can also refer to the process of purifying a substance, such as sugar or oil, by removing impurities.

Examples

3 of 5
1

I need to refine my recipe for the perfect sourdough bread by adjusting the water content.

I need to improve my sourdough bread recipe by changing the amount of water.

2

The committee will refine the legislative proposal before presenting it to the assembly.

The committee will polish the law proposal before showing it to the assembly.

3

You should really refine your jokes if you want people to actually laugh.

You should work on your jokes if you want people to laugh.

Word Family

Noun
refinement
Verb
refine
Adjective
refined
Related
refinery
💡

Memory Tip

Think of 're-fine': To make something 'fine' (excellent) again and again until it is perfect.

Quick Quiz

The software developers are working to _______ the user interface before the official launch.

Correct!

The correct answer is: refine

Examples

1

I need to refine my recipe for the perfect sourdough bread by adjusting the water content.

everyday

I need to improve my sourdough bread recipe by changing the amount of water.

2

The committee will refine the legislative proposal before presenting it to the assembly.

formal

The committee will polish the law proposal before showing it to the assembly.

3

You should really refine your jokes if you want people to actually laugh.

informal

You should work on your jokes if you want people to laugh.

4

Researchers must refine their methodology to eliminate potential biases in the data collection.

academic

Researchers must improve their methods to remove bias in data collection.

5

Our main goal this quarter is to refine our sales process to increase conversion rates.

business

Our main goal this quarter is to optimize our sales process to boost conversions.

Word Family

Noun
refinement
Verb
refine
Adjective
refined
Related
refinery

Common Collocations

refine a technique to improve a specific method or skill
refine a search to narrow down or improve search results
refine a process to make a system more efficient
oil refining the industrial process of purifying oil
refine an approach to adjust the way one deals with a situation

Common Phrases

refine upon

to improve or add more detail to an existing idea

refined taste

having sophisticated or elegant preferences

highly refined

extremely polished or processed

Often Confused With

refine vs define

To define is to state the meaning of a word; to refine is to improve something that already exists.

refine vs redefine

To redefine is to change the fundamental nature or meaning of something, whereas refine just improves it.

📝

Usage Notes

Use 'refine' when you are talking about making something better through small adjustments rather than a complete overhaul. It is also the standard term for the industrial processing of raw materials.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners often use 'refine' when they mean 'fix'. 'Fix' implies something was broken, while 'refine' implies it was already working but could be better.

💡

Memory Tip

Think of 're-fine': To make something 'fine' (excellent) again and again until it is perfect.

📖

Word Origin

From the Middle French 'raffiner', where 're-' (again) is added to 'affiner' (to make fine).

Grammar Patterns

Transitive verb (requires a direct object) Regular verb (refined, refining) Often used in the passive voice for industrial contexts (e.g., 'Oil is refined')

Quick Quiz

The software developers are working to _______ the user interface before the official launch.

Correct!

The correct answer is: refine

Related Grammar Rules

Related Words

you

A1

Used to refer to the person or people that the speaker is addressing. It is the second-person pronoun used for both singular and plural subjects and objects.

people

A1

People refers to a group of human beings or the general public. It is the standard plural form of the word 'person'.

put

A1

To move something into a particular place or position. It is a fundamental verb used to describe the act of placing an object or setting a situation in a specific location.

mean

A1

To have a specific sense or significance, especially when explaining a word or sign. It can also describe a person's intention or the importance of something to someone.

keep

A1

To continue to have or hold something in your possession or at your disposal. It also means to remain in a specific state, condition, or position without changing.

begin

A1

To start doing something or for an event to happen for the first time. It is often used to describe the first point of a process or activity.

seem

A1

To give the impression of being something or having a particular quality based on what you see or hear. It is used to describe an appearance or feeling that may or may not be the actual truth.

help

A1

To make it easier for someone to do something by offering your services, resources, or support. It can involve physical effort, providing information, or giving money to assist a person or a cause.

talk

A1

To speak in order to give information or express ideas, feelings, or thoughts. It typically involves a conversation between two or more people or a person addressing an audience.

start

A1

To begin doing something or to cause something to happen for the first time. It is frequently used when talking about movements, journeys, or making a machine or engine begin to work.

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