Standard Lemma guide

fineness

noun · 7 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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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

noun

Meaning 1

The quality or degree of being fine.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

The ratio, in a precious metal, of the primary metal to any additives or impurities.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

The ratio of length to width of a ship, aircraft or rocket

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

noun

Meaning 4

the quality of being very good indeed

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • the inn is distinguished by the fineness of its cuisine

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: choiceness

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: superiority, high quality

5

noun

Meaning 5

the quality of being beautiful and delicate in appearance

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • the daintiness of her touch
  • the fineness of her features

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: daintiness, delicacy

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: elegance

6

noun

Meaning 6

having a very fine texture

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • the fineness of the sand on the beach

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: powderiness

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: smoothness

7

noun

Meaning 7

the property of being very narrow or thin

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • he marvelled at the fineness of her hair

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: thinness

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: narrowness

History

Etymology

Etymology tree English fine Proto-Germanic *-inōną Proto-Indo-European *-dyé- Proto-Germanic *-atjaną Proto-Indo-European *-tus Proto-Germanic *-þuz Proto-Germanic *-assuz Proto-Germanic *-inassuz Proto-West Germanic *-nassī Old English -nes Middle English -nesse English -ness English fineness From fine + -ness.

Across languages

Translations

14 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Spanish: finura — the quality or degree of being fine
  • Catalan: llei — ratio in a precious metal
  • Czech: ryzost — ratio in a precious metal
  • French: titre — ratio in a precious metal
  • French: aloi — ratio in a precious metal
  • German: Feingehalt — ratio in a precious metal
  • Irish: glaine — ratio in a precious metal
  • Irish: míne — ratio in a precious metal
  • Polish: próba — ratio in a precious metal
  • Russian: про́ба (próba) — ratio in a precious metal
  • Swedish: lödighet — ratio in a precious metal
  • Ukrainian: про́ба (próba) — ratio in a precious metal
  • Welsh: coethder — ratio in a precious metal
  • French: élancement — ratio of a vehicle's length to its width