Topic: TEXTURES, SOUNDS
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| Date: | 1200-1300 |
| Language: | French |
| Origin: | fin, from Latin finire; FINISH1 |
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fine1 S1 W1
1 satisfactory or acceptable [= OK]: 'We're meeting at 8.30.' 'Okay, fine.'
acceptable
[not before noun] especially spoken'We're meeting at 8.30.' 'Okay, fine.' I'm fine (thanks/thank you) spoken (=used when telling someone that you do not want any more when they offer you something)
that's fine by me/that's fine with me etc spoken (=used when saying that you do not mind about something) If Scott wanted to keep his life secret, that was fine by her.
If Scott wanted to keep his life secret, that was fine by her.3 very good or of a very high standard : Many people regard Beethoven's fifth symphony as his finest work. He's a very fine player. It's a fine idea.
very good
[usually before noun]Many people regard Beethoven's fifth symphony as his finest work.He's a very fine player.It's a fine idea.4 bright and not raining : If it's fine tomorrow we'll go out.
weather
If it's fine tomorrow we'll go out.5 very thin or narrow : Fine needles are inserted in the arm. a fine thread very fine hairs
narrow
Fine needles are inserted in the arm.a fine threadvery fine hairs6 attractive, neat, and delicate : fine china
delicate
[usually before noun]fine china7
small
a) fine details, changes, differences etc are very small and therefore difficult to understand or notice :
b) CS in small grains, pieces, or drops : A fine drizzle started falling. a mixture of fine and coarse breadcrumbs
A fine drizzle started falling.a mixture of fine and coarse breadcrumbsc) fine material is made so that the spaces between the threads are very small : fine netting scarlet cloth with a very fine weave
fine nettingscarlet cloth with a very fine weave8 used humorously to say that someone or something is bad in some way :
bad
[only before noun] especially spoken9 sounding important and impressive, but probably not true or honest : Only time will tell whether these fine sentiments will translate into action.
speech/words
Only time will tell whether these fine sentiments will translate into action.10 a good person that you respect : Your father is a fine man, a real gentleman.
a fine man/woman etc
Your father is a fine man, a real gentleman.11 if you say that there is a fine line between two different things, you mean that they are so similar that one can easily become the other : There's a fine line between bravery and recklessness.
a fine line between something and something
There's a fine line between bravery and recklessness.12 to practise something so often that you become very skilled at it : Mike had got the breakfast routine down to a fine art.
get something down to a fine art
Mike had got the breakfast routine down to a fine art.13 used when you are criticizing something in a plain and direct way : That's a real ' pub, not to put too fine a point on it.
not to put too fine a point on it
informalThat's a real ' pub, not to put too fine a point on it.14 someone's finer feelings are the moral values they have, such as love, honour, loyalty etc : You can hardly expect such finer feelings in a thief.
finer feelings
You can hardly expect such finer feelings in a thief.15 someone who looks big, strong, and physically attractive : In his portrait, Donlevy is a fine figure of a man.
a fine figure of a man/woman
literaryIn his portrait, Donlevy is a fine figure of a man.16 a time when someone is very successful, brave etc : The tournament proved to be Gascoigne's finest hour.
somebody's finest hour
The tournament proved to be Gascoigne's finest hour.➔ chance would be a fine thing
at chance1 (12)WORD FOCUS: goodWORD FOCUS: good very good: excellent, fantastic, wonderful, great, terrific, neat American English, superb, amazing, outstanding, brilliant, impressive, fine, first-class, out of this world
of good quality: high quality, top quality, superior, deluxe, classy
morally good: decent, virtuous, respectable, honourable British English/honorable American English, upright, beyond reproach
➔ See also good
