Phrase guide

fine print

noun · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

The details, restrictions, terms, or conditions, especially of a contract, often printed in very small type.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, uncountable

Examples

  • Before signing up for such an offer, be sure to read the fine print carefully.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: mouseprint, small print

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

material printed in small type

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • he needed his glasses in order to read the fine print

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: small print

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: print

3

noun

Meaning 3

the part of a contract that contains reservations and qualifications that are often printed in small type

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • don't sign a contract without reading the fine print

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: small print

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: reservation, qualification

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

18 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Catalan: lletra petita — details printed in small type
  • Chinese Mandarin: 極小的字體 — details printed in small type
  • Chinese Mandarin: 极小的字体 (jíxiǎo de zìtǐ) — details printed in small type
  • Danish: det med småt — details printed in small type
  • Dutch: kleine lettertjes — details printed in small type
  • Finnish: pienellä painettu teksti — details printed in small type
  • French: petits caractères — details printed in small type
  • German: Kleingedrucktes — details printed in small type
  • Hebrew: הָאוֹתִיּוֹת הַקְּטַנּוֹת (ha'otiyót hak'tanót) — details printed in small type
  • Hungarian: apró betű — details printed in small type
  • Hungarian: apró betűs rész — details printed in small type
  • Icelandic: smáa letrið — details printed in small type
  • Italian: clausole scritte in piccolo — details printed in small type
  • Polish: drobny druk — details printed in small type
  • Portuguese: letras miúdas — details printed in small type
  • Russian: ме́лкий шрифт (mélkij šrift) — details printed in small type
  • Swedish: det finstilta — details printed in small type
  • Ukrainian: дрібни́й шрифт (dribnýj šryft) — details printed in small type