finely
gb/fˈaɪnli/ us/fˈaɪnli/
B1
English
~ 6600
Senses
0 senses
adverb
B1
property
1
into very small pieces
In very small pieces, especially when you cut or grind something like food.
Usage pattern:
to [verb] [food] finely
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "thinly" when they mean "finely." Use "thinly" for flat slices (like bread or ham), and "finely" when you want many very small pieces (like chopped onions). Some learners also confuse "finely" with "finally"; "finally" means "at last" or "in the end," and is not used for cutting food.
Synonyms
thinly (Often used for slices; focuses more on thickness than on how small the pieces are overall.)
|
minutely (More formal and less common; suggests extremely small pieces or details, not limited to food.)
Antonyms
coarsely (Describes pieces that are large and rough rather than small and fine.)
Collocations
finely chopped
|finely sliced
|finely diced
|finely ground
|finely grated
|finely minced
Themes
cooking
|food
|daily life
|food_drink
|daily_life
Examples
- Chop the onions finely so they cook quickly.
- The recipe calls for two carrots, finely grated.
- Grind the coffee beans finely for espresso.
- She sprinkled some finely chopped herbs over the pasta.
- The spices should be finely minced to release their flavor.
Learner examples
- Please cut the garlic finely before you fry it.
- He sliced the onion finely for the salad.
- The chef wants the meat finely chopped.
- Grate the cheese finely for the sauce.
- I like my coffee beans finely ground.
unknown
B2
property
2
with great skill and detail
In a very careful and skillful way, with a lot of detail and high quality.
Usage pattern:
finely [past participle]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "finely" with "finally." "Finely" describes quality or detail ("a finely written essay"), while "finally" means "after a long time" or "last" ("Finally, I finished my essay"). Another mistake is using the adjective "fine" instead of the adverb: say "finely made," not "fine made."
Synonyms
carefully (General word; does not always suggest the high level of skill or elegance that "finely" can imply.)
|
meticulously (Stronger than "finely"; emphasizes extreme attention to detail, sometimes sounding more fussy.)
Antonyms
crudely (Suggests something done in a rough, simple, or unskilled way, without refinement.)
|
roughly (Focuses on lack of care or detail and a more basic, unfinished quality.)
Collocations
finely crafted
|finely written
|finely made
|finely detailed
|finely worked
|finely executed
Themes
art
|work
|communication
|quality
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- It is a finely written novel with complex characters.
- The jeweler showed us a finely crafted silver bracelet.
- Her argument was finely constructed and very persuasive.
- The film is finely acted and beautifully shot.
- The report is finely balanced, showing both sides fairly.
Learner examples
- This is a finely written story.
- The artist made a finely detailed painting.
- He gave a finely prepared presentation.
- The table is finely made from oak wood.
- She wrote a finely argued article about climate change.
adverb
C1
property
3
delicately or very sensitively
In a very delicate or sensitive way, where even small changes or feelings are important.
Usage pattern:
finely [past participle/adjective] (e.g. "finely tuned")
Common mistake:
Learners may not realize that "finely" here is close to "delicately" or "subtly" and try to translate it too literally as only "very small". Also, some mix it up with "finally"; remember that "finally" is about time, not about sensitivity or delicacy.
Synonyms
delicately (Very similar, but often focuses more on physical lightness or fragility; "finely" can include precision or sensitivity.)
|
subtly (Stresses that something is not obvious; "finely" adds a sense of precision or fine adjustment.)
Antonyms
bluntly (Opposite in communication: direct and not sensitive to feelings or small differences.)
|
crudely (Opposite in style or adjustment: rough, not sensitive, and not delicately controlled.)
Collocations
finely tuned
|finely attuned
|finely balanced
|finely sensitive
|finely judged
|finely drawn
Themes
emotions
|perception
|music
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The sound system is finely tuned to the shape of the hall.
- She is finely attuned to changes in public opinion.
- Their relationship is finely balanced and can be upset easily.
- He made a finely judged decision under pressure.
- The character in the novel is finely drawn, with many subtle emotions.
Learner examples
- The radio is finely tuned, so every small change in sound is clear.
- She is finely attuned to her child's feelings.
- The game was finely balanced until the last minute.
- He gave a finely judged reply that did not hurt anyone.
- The singer has a finely trained ear for music.
Grammar
Dictionary form
finely
IPA
GB/fˈaɪnli/
US/fˈaɪnli/
Syllables & stress
finely (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (finely)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: finely
- Plural: finelies
Word family
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.