Standard Lemma guide

finely

adv · 5 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

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • /ˈfaɪnli/
  • US: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • homophone: finally (one pronunciation)
  • CMU ARPABET: F AY1 N L IY0 Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

adv

Meaning 1

So as to produce a fine texture; into small, thin, or delicate pieces.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • Fledglings can only be fed finely chopped meat.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adv

Meaning 2

In a fine, handsome or attractive way; very well.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

adverb

Meaning 3

in a delicate manner

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • finely shaped features
  • her fine drawn body

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: fine, delicately, exquisitely

Antonyms: none provided

4

adverb

Meaning 4

in an elegant manner

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • finely costumed actors

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

5

adverb

Meaning 5

in tiny pieces

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • the surfaces were finely granular

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: coarsely

History

Etymology

From Middle English finely, fynely, fynly, fineliche, finliche, fynliche, equivalent to fine + -ly.

Across languages

Translations

7 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Bulgarian: си́тно (sítno) — in a manner to produce a fine result
  • Catalan: finament — in a manner to produce a fine result
  • Czech: najemno — in a manner to produce a fine result
  • Czech: jemně — in a manner to produce a fine result
  • Czech: nadrobno — in a manner to produce a fine result
  • Hungarian: finoman — in a manner to produce a fine result
  • Russian: ме́лко (mélko) — in a manner to produce a fine result