refined Meaning, Definition & Usage

1. verb improve or perfect by pruning or polishing
   down; polish; fine-tune; refine.
   
   • refine one's style of writing
2. verb make more complex, intricate, or richer
   rarify; elaborate; complicate; refine.
   
   • refine a design or pattern
3. verb treat or prepare so as to put in a usable condition
   refine.
   
   • refine paper stock
   • refine pig iron
   • refine oil
4. verb reduce to a fine, unmixed, or pure state; separate from extraneous matter or cleanse from impurities
   refine; rectify.
   
   • refine sugar
5. verb attenuate or reduce in vigor, strength, or validity by polishing or purifying
   refine.
   
   • many valuable nutrients are refined out of the foods in our modern diet
6. verb make more precise or increase the discriminatory powers of
   refine.
   
   • refine a method of analysis
   • refine the constant in the equation
7. adjective (used of persons and their behavior) cultivated and genteel
   
   • she was delicate and refined and unused to hardship
   • refined people with refined taste
8. adjective freed from impurities by processing
   processed.
   
   • refined sugar
   • refined oil
   • to gild refined gold"- Shakespeare
9. adjective satellite showing a high degree of refinement and the assurance that comes from wide social experience
   svelte; polished; urbane.
   
   • his polished manner
   • maintained an urbane tone in his letters
10. adjective satellite suggesting taste, ease, and wealth
    elegant; graceful.
    
11. adjective satellite free from what is tawdry or unbecoming
    neat; tasteful.
    
    • a neat style
    • a neat set of rules
    • she hated to have her neat plans upset

WordNet