fine

Universal Words adjective, adverb, noun, verb adjective (finer, finest) very good 1 [usuallybeforenoun] of high quality; good: a very fine performance * fine clothes / wines / workmanship * a particularly fine example of Saxon architecture * the finest collection of paintings in Europe * She's a fine actor and an even finer dancer. * Jim has made a fine job of the garden. * people who enjoy the finer things in life (= for example art, good food, etc.) * He tried to appeal to their finer feelings (= feelings of duty, love, etc.). * It was his finest hour (= most successful period) as manager of the England team. very well 2 (of a person) in good health: 'How are you?' 'Fine, thanks.' * I was feeling fine when I got up this morning. * 'How's your throat?' 'It's fine as long as I don't cough.' acceptable / satisfactory 3 (spoken) (also used as an exclamation) used to tell sb that an action, a suggestion or a decision is acceptable: 'I'll leave this here, OK?' 'Fine.' * 'Bob wants to know if he can come too.' 'That's fine by me.' 4 (spoken) used to say you are satisfied with sth: Don't worry. Your speech was fine. * You go on without me. I'll be fine. * 'Can I get you another drink?' 'No, thanks. I'm fine.' * (ironic) This is a fine (= terrible) mess we're in! * (ironic) You're a fine one to talk! (= you are not in a position to criticize, give advice, etc.) attractive 5 [usuallybeforenoun] pleasing to look at: a fine view * a fine-looking woman * a fine figure of a man delicate 6 [usuallybeforenoun] attractive and delicate: fine bone china * She has inherited her mother's fine features (= a small nose, mouth, etc.). weather 7 (especially BrE) bright and not raining: a fine day / evening * I hope it stays fine for the picnic. very thin 8 very thin or narrow: fine blond hair * a fine thread * a brush with a fine tip detail / distinctions 9 [usuallybeforenoun] difficult to see or describe: You really need a magnifying glass to appreciate all the fine detail. * There's no need to make such fine distinctions. * There's a fine line between love and hate (= it is easy for one to become the other). * We still have to iron out the finer details. with small grains 10 made of very small grains: fine sand / flour * Use a finer piece of sandpaper to finish. person 11 [onlybeforenoun] that you have a lot of respect for: He was a fine man and a fine soldier (= respected both as a man and as a soldier). words / speeches 12 sounding important and impressive but unlikely to have any effect: His speech was full of fine words which meant nothing. metals 13 (technical) containing only a particular metal and no other substances that reduce the quality: fine gold IDIOMS get sth down to a fine art (informal) to learn to do sth well and efficiently: I spend so much time travelling that I've got packing down to a fine art. not to put too fine a point on it used to emphasize sth that is expressed clearly and directly, especially a criticism: Not to put too fine a point on it, I think you are lying. moreatCHANCEn., FETTLE, LINEn., TALKv. adverb (informal) in a way that is satisfactory or acceptable: Keep going like that-you're doing fine. * Things were going fine until you showed up. * That arrangement suits me fine. * (BrE) An omelette will do me fine (= will be enough for me). IDIOMS cut it / things fine (informal) to leave yourself just enough time to do sth: If we don't leave till after lunch we'll be cutting it very fine. noun a sum of money that must be paid as punishment for breaking a law or rule: a parking fine * Offenders will be liable to a heavy fine (= one that costs a lot of money). * Under the new law, motorists face fines of up to ｣1000. * She has already paid over $2000 in fines. verb [oftenpassive] ~ sb (sth) (for sth / for doing sth) to make sb pay money as an official punishment: [VN] She was fined for speeding. * [VNN] The company was fined ｣20000 for breaching safety regulations.