# finely

/ˈfaɪnɫi/ (US) · /fˈaɪnli/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/finely
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. into small pieces

adverb · CEFR B2

into very small or thin pieces.

For teachers: 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'.

### 2. with great detail

adverb · CEFR B2

done with great care, skill, or detail.

For teachers: 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'.

### 3. elegantly

adverb · CEFR C1 · Literary · Formal

in a way that looks expensive, beautiful, or high-quality.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- Chop the onions finely before adding them to the pan.
- The chef insisted that the herbs be finely chopped to ensure the flavor was distributed evenly throughout the sauce.
- The legal argument was finely balanced, requiring the judge to consider the subtle nuances of intent versus the literal interpretation of the statute.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.