ENGLISH
REFERENCE

fines

n. countable
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈfaɪnz// UK //fˈaɪnz// fines

n. money you must pay as a punishment for breaking a rule or law. You might get one for parking your car in the wrong place or returning a library book late.

n. monetary penalties imposed by a court or other authority as a punishment for an offence. Often used in the plural to refer to the general system of financial punishment.


SIMPLE

He had to pay several fines for speeding last month.

CONTEXTUAL

The city council increased the fines for littering to discourage people from leaving trash in public parks.

COMPLEX

While some argue that flat-rate fines unfairly burden the poor, others maintain they are a necessary deterrent for maintaining public order and safety.

Synonyms
Usage

Commonly used in the plural when discussing legal penalties or multiple infractions.

Pitfall

The police gave me a fine for my car.The police gave me a parking fine.Learners often use 'fine' too generally; it is better to specify the type of fine, such as a 'parking fine' or 'speeding fine'.

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