Word
finely
Phoneticsfine·ly, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈfaɪnɫi/
UK/fˈaɪnli/
Adverb of manner
Definitions
01into small pieces
B2 · Upper Intermediate Cooking
adv. into very small or thin pieces.
adv. to a degree of minute physical texture or small particle size.
“You should chop the garlic finely so it blends into the sauce.”
“The recipe requires the herbs to be finely minced to ensure their oils are evenly distributed throughout the marinade.”
Usage
Commonly used with verbs like 'chop', 'grind', 'dice', or 'shred'.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02with great detail
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adv. done with great care, skill, or detail.
adv. with a high degree of precision, delicacy, or subtle discrimination.
“The watch has a finely tuned engine that keeps perfect time.”
“The diplomat navigated the finely balanced political situation with remarkable tact, avoiding any potential for international misunderstanding.”
Usage
Often modifies adjectives or past participles like 'tuned', 'balanced', or 'crafted'.
Synonyms
03elegantly
C1 · Advanced Literary · Formal
adv. in a way that looks expensive, beautiful, or high-quality.
adv. in an elegant, handsome, or aesthetically superior manner.
“The guests arrived at the palace finely dressed in silk and jewels.”
“The manor house was finely furnished with eighteenth-century antiques, reflecting the family's long history of wealth and refined taste.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“A finely tuned attacking machine they are not.” “Add finely ground coffee to the strainer until it’s about three-quarters full (20 grams for a 6-cup moka pot), and drop it into the base.” “Finely chop 40g of the shallots and set aside, then cut the rest into 2-3mm-thick slices.” “Between the large pool and the ashlar structure lies a forecourt paved with large, finely dressed stone slabs.” Etymology
From Middle English finely, fynely, fynly, fineliche, finliche, fynliche, equivalent to fine + -ly.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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