fine
[adjective]
Synonyms:
- excellent, accomplished, exceptional, exquisite, first-rate, magnificent, masterly, outstanding, splendid, superior
- sunny, balmy, bright, clear, clement, cloudless, dry, fair, pleasant
- satisfactory, acceptable, all right, convenient, good, O.K. or okay (informal), suitable
- delicate, dainty, elegant, expensive, exquisite, fragile, quality
- subtle, abstruse, acute, hairsplitting, minute, nice, precise, sharp
- slender, diaphanous, flimsy, gauzy, gossamer, light, sheer, thin
————————
[noun]
Synonyms:
- penalty, damages, forfeit, punishment
[verb]
Synonyms:
- penalize, mulct, punish

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Antonyms: coarse
Contrasted words: definite, explicit, express, specific, clear, lucid, perspicuous, broad, extensive, general, generic, indefinite, wide, miserable, wretched, atrocious, awful, objectionable, unpleasant
Related Idioms: fine and dandy
Related Words: damages, reparation, punishment, assessment, distrain, exact, levy, tax, confiscate, sequestrate, abstruse, esoteric, recondite, cryptic, enigmatic, obscure, minute, petty, trifling, light, loose, porous, beautiful, splendid, enjoyable, pleasant

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English Thesaurus: good, nice, good quality/high quality, fine, neat, ...

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

I. fine¹ S1 W1 /faɪn/ adjective
[Date: 1200-1300; Language: French; Origin: fin, from Latin finire; ⇒ finish¹]

1. ACCEPTABLE [not before noun] especially spoken satisfactory or acceptable Synonym : OK:
‘We’re meeting at 8.30.’ ‘Okay, fine.’
looks/seems/sounds fine
In theory, the scheme sounds fine.
If you want to use cheese instead of chicken, that’s fine.
‘Do you want chili sauce on it?’ ‘No, it’s fine as it is, thanks.’
I’m fine (thanks/thank you) spoken (=used when telling someone that you do not want any more when they offer you something)
‘More coffee?’ ‘No, I’m fine, thanks.’
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.

2. HEALTHY in good health Synonym : OK:
‘How are you?’ ‘Fine, thanks, how are you?’
I feel fine, really.

3. VERY GOOD [usually before noun] 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.
Hatfield House is a fine example of Jacobean architecture.
The restaurant was chosen for its good food and fine wines.

4. WEATHER bright and not raining:
If it’s fine tomorrow we’ll go out.
a fine day/morning/evening
I hope it stays fine for you.

5. NARROW very thin or narrow:
Fine needles are inserted in the arm.
a fine thread
very fine hairs

6. DELICATE [usually before noun] attractive, neat, and delicate:
fine china
Her dark hair accentuates her fine features (=nose, eyes, cheeks etc).

7. SMALL
a) fine details, changes, differences etc are very small and therefore difficult to understand or notice:
We stayed up discussing the finer points of Marxist theory.
b) in small grains, pieces, or drops:
A fine drizzle started falling.
a mixture of fine and coarse breadcrumbs
c) fine material is made so that the spaces between the threads are very small:
fine netting
scarlet cloth with a very fine weave

8. BAD [only before noun] especially spoken used humorously to say that someone or something is bad in some way:
That’s another fine mess (=bad situation) he’s got himself into.
You’re a fine one to talk (=you are criticizing someone for something you do yourself).

9. SPEECH/WORDS sounding important and impressive, but probably not true or honest:
Only time will tell whether these fine sentiments will translate into action.

10. a fine man/woman etc a good person that you respect:
Your father is a fine man, a real gentleman.

11. a fine line between something and something 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.

12. get something down to a fine art to practise something so often that you become very skilled at it:
Mike had got the breakfast routine down to a fine art.

13. not to put too fine a point on it informal used when you are criticizing something in a plain and direct way:
That wasn't the best meal I've ever had, not to put too fine a point on it.

14. finer feelings 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.

15. a fine figure of a man/woman literary someone who looks big, strong, and physically attractive:
In his portrait, Donlevy is a fine figure of a man.

16. sb’s finest hour a time when someone is very successful, brave etc:
The tournament proved to be Gascoigne’s finest hour.
⇒ chance would be a fine thing at chance¹(12)

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

II. fine² S3 adverb

1. especially spoken in a way that is satisfactory or acceptable:
‘How’s it going?’ ‘Fine, thanks.’
The dress fitted me fine.
If I had a good job and my boyfriend stayed at home, that’d suit me fine (=be very acceptable to me).

2. do fine spoken
a) to be satisfactory or acceptable:
‘Something very light,’ he ordered. ‘An omelette will do fine.’
b) to do something well or in a satisfactory way:
Don’t worry, you’re doing fine. Keep at it.
c) to be healthy and well:
‘How’s your husband?’ ‘He’s doing fine, thank you.’

3. if you cut something fine, you cut it into very small or very thin pieces Synonym : finely

4. cut it/things fine informal to leave yourself only just enough time to do something

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

III. fine³ verb [transitive]
to make someone pay money as a punishment
fine somebody for (doing) something
She was fined for speeding.
fine somebody £200/$500 etc
The club was fined £50,000 for financial irregularities.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

IV. fine⁴ noun [countable]
[Date: 1200-1300; Language: French; Origin: fin, from Latin finis 'end']
money that you have to pay as a punishment:
a £40 fine
pay a fine/pay £100/$50 etc in fines
She was ordered to pay £150 in parking fines, plus court costs.
Councils will get sweeping powers to impose fines on drivers who park illegally.
heavy/hefty fine (=a large fine)
If convicted, the men face heavy fines.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

fine
adj.
I. good enough/suitable
VERBS be, look, seem, smell, sound, taste | turn out I knew that everything would turn out fine in the end.
ADV. absolutely, just Don't worry. Your voice sounds absolutely fine.
PREP. for This paper's not very good quality, but it's fine for rough work.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

fine
II. in good health/happy and comfortable
VERBS be, feel, look, seem George looks fine now.
ADV. absolutely I feel absolutely fine.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

fine
III. bright and sunny/not raining
VERBS be | turn out It's turned out fine again today.
keep, remain, stay Let's hope it stays fine for the wedding this afternoon.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

fine
IV. thin/small
VERBS be
ADV. extremely, very Her hair is very fine. a very fine distinction
quite

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

fine
noun
ADJ. big, heavy, hefty, large, massive, stiff, substantial | maximum | parking
VERB + FINE get I got a parking fine for parking on double yellow lines.
pay | give (sb), impose, levy Heavy fines were levied on motoring offenders.
be liable for/to, face, risk Drivers risk heavy fines for driving without a licence.
be punishable by, carry, lead to The offence carries a maximum fine of £500.
increase
PREP. in ~ The club is struggling to pay £75,000 in fines to the football league.
~ for a fine for water pollution

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

fine
verb
ADV. heavily Any company found to be breaking these rules will be heavily fined.
PREP. for He got fined £200 for parking illegally.
PHRASES get fined

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

fine
adjective
BAD: 'Hello, John. How are you?' 'Very fine, thank you.'
GOOD: 'Hello, John. How are you?' 'Fine, thank you.'

Usage Note:
When fine means 'very well', it is not used with very or extremely .
See note at VERY 4 (very)

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Common Errors ▲

good of a high standard or quality:
I’ve just read a really good book.
My French is not very good.
nice pleasant and enjoyable. Nice is very common in spoken English. In written English, it is better to use other words:
I hope you have a nice vacation.
It will be nice to see you again.
good quality/high quality well made from good materials:
If you buy good quality shoes, they last much longer.
high-quality wallpapers
fine used for describing things of a very high quality, or weather with no rain and clear skies:
The restaurant serves the finest food in Florence.
If it’s fine tomorrow, we’ll go for a walk.
neat American English spoken good – used when you like something:
That’s a neat idea.
They sell some really neat stuff.
attractive an attractive offer, course of action etc seems good and makes you want to accept it or do it:
Going home for dinner was a more attractive proposition than completing his run.
Buying direct from the manufacturer seems the most attractive option.
impressive something that is impressive is good in a way that makes people admire it:
an impressive achievement
It was a very impressive performance.
excellent/superb extremely good:
Your English is excellent.
She’s a superb teacher.
great/wonderful/terrific/fantastic especially spoken extremely good:
It’s a great film.
Her cooking is wonderful.
That’s a terrific idea!
brilliant British English especially spoken extremely good:
The play was absolutely brilliant.
amazing/incredible extremely good, in a surprising and exciting way:
New York is an amazing place.
The skating has been incredible in this competition.
beautiful/glorious used about weather that is very pleasant and sunny:
It’s a beautiful day.
The weather was just glorious.
outstanding/first-class/top-quality much better than other places, people etc:
an outstanding performance
The service is always first-class.
exceptional unusually good:
Occasionally, we get a student with exceptional talent.
a woman of exceptional beauty
awesome especially American English informal very good:
The movie was awesome.
be out of this world spoken to be extremely good:
Their chocolate cake is just out of this world!

[TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲

healthy having good health:
A good diet keeps you healthy.
They tested the drug on healthy volunteers.
well used especially when describing or asking about how someone feels or looks:
I don’t feel well.
How was James – did he look well?
fine spoken used in a reply to a question about your health, or when talking about someone else’s health. Use fine only in replies, not in questions or statements:
‘Hi, Tom, how are you?’ ‘Fine, thanks.’
She had a bad cold, but she’s fine now.
all right/OK spoken not ill or injured. These expressions are very commonly used in everyday spoken English:
You look pale – are you feeling all right?
He’s had an accident but he’s OK.
better less ill than you were, or no longer ill:
I’m feeling a lot better now.
Don’t come back to school until you’re better.
fit healthy, especially because you exercise regularly:
She keeps fit by cycling everywhere.
Police officers have to be physically fit and have good eyesight.
in (good) shape healthy and fit:
Jogging keeps me in pretty good shape.
robust literary healthy and strong, and not likely to become ill:
He had a robust constitution (=a strong and healthy body).
robust plants
a robust girl, wearing a thick woollen sweater
be/look a picture of health to look very healthy:
She looked a picture of health as she posed for the cameras.

[TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲

install to put a piece of equipment somewhere and connect it so that it is ready to be used:
The company is installing a new computer system.
How much does it cost to install central heating?
put in to install something. Put in is more common in everyday English than install and is used especially about things that are not very complicated to install:
The workmen are coming to put the new windows in today.
They removed the bath and put in a shower instead.
fit to put a new part or piece of equipment into or onto something:
I had to fit new locks after the burglary.
All vehicles must have seatbelts fitted.
lay to put cables or a carpet in the correct place on the ground:
Work on laying the telephone cables has not yet begun.
Two workmen were laying carpet tiles in the kitchen.
healthy having good health:
A good diet keeps you healthy.
They tested the drug on healthy volunteers.
well used especially when describing or asking about how someone feels or looks:
I don’t feel well.
How was James – did he look well?
fine spoken used in a reply to a question about your health, or when talking about someone else’s health. Use fine only in replies, not in questions or statements:
‘Hi, Tom, how are you?’ ‘Fine, thanks.’
She had a bad cold, but she’s fine now.
all right/OK spoken not ill or injured. These expressions are very commonly used in everyday spoken English:
You look pale – are you feeling all right?
He’s had an accident but he’s OK.
better less ill than you were, or no longer ill:
I’m feeling a lot better now.
Don’t come back to school until you’re better.
in (good) shape healthy and fit:
Jogging keeps me in pretty good shape.
robust literary healthy and strong, and not likely to become ill:
He had a robust constitution (=a strong and healthy body).
robust plants
a robust girl, wearing a thick woollen sweater
be/look a picture of health to look very healthy:
She looked a picture of health as she posed for the cameras.

[TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲

punish to do something unpleasant to someone because they have done something wrong or broken the law:
Drug smugglers are severely punished.
She wanted to punish him for deceiving her.
fine to make someone pay money as a punishment:
The company was fined for safety violations.
sentence if a judge sentences a criminal, he or she gives them an official punishment, usually sending them to prison for a period of time:
The judge sentenced Margolis to a year in prison.
penalize (also penalise British English) to officially punish someone, especially by taking away their right to do something or by limiting their freedom in some way:
New laws will penalize firms that continue to pollute the environment.
discipline to punish someone who has broken the rules of an organization that they belong to or work for:
Officers are expected to discipline soldiers who do not keep their uniforms in good condition.
come down hard on somebody informal to punish someone or criticize them severely:
The judge came down hard on Harris, saying that his crime was ‘inexcusable’.
make an example of somebody to punish someone so that other people are afraid to do the same thing:
Athletics officials felt they had to make an example of him for using banned drugs.
teach somebody a lesson informal to do something in order to show someone that they must not do something again, when they have behaved very badly:
I didn't want to hurt him - I just wanted teach him a lesson.
Maybe a night in jail will teach him a lesson.
make somebody pay (for something) informal to make someone wish they had never done something, by making them suffer:
We should make him pay for all the mischief he's caused!
punishment something that is done in order to punish someone, or the act of punishing them:
I don’t think they deserved such a severe punishment.
The usual punishment is life in prison.
penalty a general word for a punishment given to someone who has broken a law, rule, or agreement:
What’s the penalty if you get caught?
He called for stiffer penalties for crimes involving guns.
the death penalty (also capital punishment) the system in which people are killed as a punishment for crimes:
If he is found guilty, he faces the death penalty.
A number of states have abolished capital punishment.
community service unpaid work helping other people that someone does as punishment for a crime:
He was given a choice between doing 200 hours of community service, or a big fine.
corporal punishment the punishment of children by hitting them:
I don’t agree with corporal punishment.
Corporal punishment was abolished in schools in 1987.

[TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲

punishment something that is done in order to punish someone, or the act of punishing them:
I don’t think they deserved such a severe punishment.
The usual punishment is life in prison.
sentence a punishment given by a judge in a court:
He was given a long prison sentence.
They asked for the maximum sentence.
fine an amount of money that you must pay as a punishment:
I got an £80 fine for speeding.
There are heavy fines for drink-driving.
penalty a general word for a punishment given to someone who has broken a law, rule, or agreement:
What’s the penalty if you get caught?
He called for stiffer penalties for crimes involving guns.
the death penalty (also capital punishment) the system in which people are killed as a punishment for crimes:
If he is found guilty, he faces the death penalty.
A number of states have abolished capital punishment.
community service unpaid work helping other people that someone does as punishment for a crime:
He was given a choice between doing 200 hours of community service, or a big fine.
corporal punishment the punishment of children by hitting them:
I don’t agree with corporal punishment.
Corporal punishment was abolished in schools in 1987.
punish to do something unpleasant to someone because they have done something wrong or broken the law:
Drug smugglers are severely punished.
She wanted to punish him for deceiving her.
penalize (also penalise British English) to officially punish someone, especially by taking away their right to do something or by limiting their freedom in some way:
New laws will penalize firms that continue to pollute the environment.
discipline to punish someone who has broken the rules of an organization that they belong to or work for:
Officers are expected to discipline soldiers who do not keep their uniforms in good condition.
come down hard on somebody informal to punish someone or criticize them severely:
The judge came down hard on Harris, saying that his crime was ‘inexcusable’.
make an example of somebody to punish someone so that other people are afraid to do the same thing:
Athletics officials felt they had to make an example of him for using banned drugs.
teach somebody a lesson informal to do something in order to show someone that they must not do something again, when they have behaved very badly:
I didn't want to hurt him - I just wanted teach him a lesson.
Maybe a night in jail will teach him a lesson.
make somebody pay (for something) informal to make someone wish they had never done something, by making them suffer:
We should make him pay for all the mischief he's caused!

[TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲

sunny if the weather is sunny, the sun is shining:
When we arrived in Hong Kong, it was warm and sunny.
a lovely sunny afternoon
fine especially British English not raining, and with no clouds or only a few clouds in the sky:
a period of fine weather
Next week will be fine but a little cooler.
nice (also lovely especially British English) spoken pleasantly warm and sunny:
It’s a lovely day – why don’t we go for a walk?
If it’s nice, we’ll go to the beach.
bright if the weather is bright, the sun is shining and there is plenty of light:
a bright sunny morning
It was bright earlier on in the day.
beautiful/glorious used when the weather is very good and there is a lot of sunshine:
a glorious autumn day
The weather has been beautiful all week.
clear with no clouds or mist:
It was a clear June morning.
a clear blue sky
cloudless especially literary with no clouds:
The sun shone from a cloudless sky.
It was a beautiful cloudless morning.
dry with no rain:
a period of dry weather
Tomorrow will be mostly dry.

[TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲

FINE
Fickle Insecure Neurotic and Emotional 
Foggy Insecure Neurotic Emotional 
Fouled Up, Insecure, Neurotic and Emotional (Aerosmith; polite form) 
Frustrated Insecure Neurotic Emotional

[TahlilGaran] Acronyms and Abbreviations Dictionary ▲

FINE(D)
Fouledup, Insecure, Neurotic, Emotionally Disturbed (polite form)

[TahlilGaran] Acronyms and Abbreviations Dictionary ▲