refine

UK: /rɪˈfaɪn/ US: /rɪˈfaɪn/ ,(ri fīn′)

Inflections of 'refine' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

refines

v 3rd person singular

refining

v pres p

refined

v past

refined

v past p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

re•fine /rɪˈfaɪn/   v. [~ + object] , -fined, -fin•ing. 

1. to separate (something) from impure substances:
   to refine oil.
2. to bring (something) to a finer state or form by purifying, polishing, changing, or making it more precise:
   to refine a theory.

See -fin-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

re•fine  (ri fīn′), v., -fined, -fin•ing. 
v.t. 

1. to bring to a fine or a pure state;
   free from impurities:
   to refine metal, sugar, or petroleum.
2. to purify from what is coarse, vulgar, or debasing;
   make elegant or cultured.
3. to bring to a finer state or form by purifying.
4. to make more fine, subtle, or precise:
   to refine one's writing style.

v.i. 

5. to become pure.
6. to become more fine, elegant, or polished.
7. to make fine distinctions in thought or language.
8. refine on or upon, to improve by inserting finer distinctions, superior elements, etc.:
   to refine on one's previous work.

• re- + fine¹ 1575–85

re•fin′a•ble, adj. 
re•fin′er, n. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

refine / rɪˈfaɪn/ verb

1. to make or become free from impurities, sediment, or other foreign matter; purify
2. (transitive) to separate (a mixture) into pure constituents, as in an oil refinery
3. to make or become free from coarse characteristics; make or become elegant or polished
4. (transitive) often followed by out: to remove (something impure or extraneous)
5. (intr; often followed by on or upon) to enlarge or improve (upon) by making subtle or fine distinctions
6. (transitive) to make (language) more subtle or polished

Etymology: 16th Century: from re- + fine¹

reˈfinable adjective