refinement
process of making something better
The slow, careful process of making something better or more exact, usually with many small changes.
the refinement of [something]
- The software is good, but it still needs further refinement before release.
- Years of refinement turned the prototype into a reliable product.
- Scientific progress often comes from the slow refinement of existing theories.
- The new policy is a refinement of the earlier proposal, not a complete change.
- The company is working on the refinement of its new car.
- After some refinement, her idea became a strong plan.
- This camera is the result of many years of refinement.
- The recipe tasted better after a little refinement.
elegant and cultured behavior
A quality of being polite and elegant, and showing good taste in how you behave, dress, or talk.
[someone] is a person of great refinement
- Despite his wealth, he had very little refinement in his manners.
- Her natural refinement made guests feel comfortable and respected.
- The restaurant aims for refinement rather than showy luxury.
- Over time, her writing gained a refinement that impressed critics.
- He speaks with great refinement and calm.
- The room shows refinement in every small detail.
- Her parents value education and social refinement.
- His jokes are funny but do not show much refinement.
small change that improves something
A small change or extra part that makes something a little better.
a refinement to [something]
- The latest model includes several refinements that make it easier to use.
- After a few refinements to the layout, the website looked much cleaner.
- They added a clever refinement to the handle so it folds flat.
- The chef introduced a subtle refinement to the sauce by adding lemon zest.
- This phone has some refinements, like a better camera.
- We made a small refinement to the plan before the meeting.
- The teacher suggested a refinement to my final sentence.
- The car’s new seat is a useful refinement for long trips.
industrial removal of impurities
The factory or chemical process that cleans a raw material, like oil or sugar, by taking out other substances.
the refinement of [a substance]
- The country exports crude oil but lacks facilities for its refinement.
- Sugar refinement removes color and impurities before packaging.
- Advances in metal refinement have reduced waste and energy use.
- Strict safety rules apply during the refinement of toxic chemicals.
- Oil refinement takes place in a large factory.
- Refinement makes the sugar white and clean.
- New machines make the refinement of metals faster.
- Water refinement is important for safe drinking water.
high precision or subtlety
A very high and fine level of detail or exactness in ideas, work, or style, usually because of long, careful work.
a refinement in [something]
- Her argument showed a refinement of thought that impressed the committee.
- The refinement of detail in the painting rewards close viewing.
- Over time, the theory gained a level of refinement that made it widely accepted.
- The new algorithm brings greater refinement to image recognition.
- The plan needs more refinement of detail.
- His music has a new refinement after many years of practice.
- This model adds refinement to the old idea.
- The design now has a high degree of refinement.
- Base: refinement
- Plural: refinement, refinements
a lack of refinement
1not polite or elegant
Not having polite, elegant, or cultured behavior or style.
- His loud jokes at dinner showed a real lack of refinement.
- The review criticized the film’s lack of refinement in both dialogue and visuals.
further refinement
1additional small improvement
One more small change that makes something even better after other changes.
- The draft is good but needs further refinement before publication.
- After some further refinement, the app will be ready for launch.
refinement of taste
1making tastes more sophisticated
The slow process of making a person’s likes and dislikes more careful, educated, and sensitive.
- Travel and reading contributed to his refinement of taste in food and art.
- Over the years, there was a clear refinement of taste in her choice of clothes.
to a high degree of refinement
1to a very advanced level
To a very advanced and precise level of development.
- The technology has been developed to a high degree of refinement.
- Her technique on the violin has reached a high degree of refinement.
with great refinement
1in a very elegant or precise way
In a way that shows a lot of elegance, care, or fine detail.
- The dishes were prepared with great refinement and attention to detail.
- She handled the difficult question with great refinement and tact.