WordGarden.iofine
A1Pronunciation
UK
US
- /ˈfaɪn/
Meanings
Adjective
acceptable, satisfactory, or not a problem
healthy, well, or not upset
of high quality, skill, or refinement
More meaningsFewer meanings
very thin, small, or delicate in texture or detail
Adverb
in a satisfactory or acceptable way
Noun
a monetary penalty for breaking a law or rule
Verb
to require someone to pay a monetary penalty
Beyond the definition
The word "fine" moves easily through everyday English. It often means very good, as in fine art, fine food, or fine weather. In daily conversation, it is also a common answer to "How are you?" and usually means things are okay, even if not great. It can also describe something thin or small, like fine sand, fine hair, or the fine print in a contract. And in a legal or official setting, a fine is money you must pay for breaking a rule.
The word "fine" has several common meanings, and the context usually makes them easy to tell apart. One very common meaning is "very good" or "high quality." People talk about fine art, fine clothes, fine food, or fine weather when they want to suggest beauty, skill, or quality. In the same general sense, it can also describe someone or something delicate and pleasing, as in fine features.
Another everyday use appears in simple conversation. When someone says, "I'm fine," they may mean they feel good, but very often they just mean they are okay. The tone matters here. Sometimes it sounds warm and positive, and sometimes it sounds like the speaker does not want to say more.
"Fine" also often describes something thin, small, or detailed. Fine hair is thin hair. Fine sand has very small grains. The fine print in a document is the small text that people often miss. In a similar way, a fine line or a fine difference can mean a very small distinction.
There is also a noun use. A fine is an amount of money someone must pay as punishment for breaking a law or rule, such as a parking fine or a library fine.
You will also meet the word in fixed phrases and small shades of meaning. Fine adjustments are small, careful changes. "That is fine" can mean "that is acceptable." Because of this wide range, "fine" is one of those words that seems simple at first but does a lot of work in English.
Examples
- 1
Health
I feel fine today.
- 2
Short stay
This hotel is fine for one night.
- Patternfine for + purpose
good enough for that purpose
- 3
Personal acceptance
If you want to leave early, that's fine with me.
- Patternfine with + person
acceptable to that person
- 4
Apology response
"Sorry I forgot to call." "It's fine."
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Reassurance
We're doing fine, so you don't need to worry.
- 6
Working condition
That old laptop still works fine.
- 7
Fabric quality
She wore a fine silk dress.
- 8
Tiny particles
The shelves were covered in fine dust.
- 9
Small difference
There's a fine line between being confident and being rude.
- Phrasea fine line between
a very small difference between two things
- 10
Contract details
Make sure you read the fine print before you sign.
- Phrasefine print
the small writing in a contract
- 11
Punishment money
He had to pay a fine for parking there.
See also
Similar
- okay
- all right
- acceptable
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Do not confuse
- fine noun
Used with (collocations)
- that's fine
- fine with me
- perfectly fine
- just fine
Explore
Forms and spellings
6 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- finenounverbadjectiveadverb
Forms
- finestsuperlativeadjectiveverbnoun
- finespluralnounverbadjective
- finedpast tenseverbadjectivenoun
- finercomparativeadjectiveverbnoun
- fining-ing formverbadjectivenoun