Word
fines
US/ˈfaɪnz/
UK/fˈaɪnz/
Definitions
01money paid as punishment
B1 · Intermediate Plural noun Law
n. amounts of money that you have to pay because you have broken a law or a rule.
n. financial penalties imposed by a court or other authority for a specific offence or breach of regulation.
“The city collected thousands of dollars in parking fines last month.”
“The regulatory body imposed heavy fines on the corporation after discovering systematic violations of environmental safety protocols.”
Usage
Usually used in the plural when referring to a general collection of penalties.
02small particles
C2 · Proficiency Plural noun Science Technical
n. very small pieces of something, like dust, sand, or crushed stone.
n. minute particles of a material, often produced during industrial processing or found at the bottom of a container.
“The gold miner used a special screen to separate the tiny fines from the larger rocks.”
“The presence of excessive coal fines in the air posed a significant respiratory risk to the workers in the processing plant.”
Usage
Almost exclusively used in the plural in industrial or geological contexts.
03to charge money for a rule break
B1 · Intermediate Law
v. to make someone pay money as a punishment.
v. to impose a financial penalty on someone for an infraction. Transitive — takes a direct object of the person or entity being punished.
“The library fines students if they return their books late.”
“The referee fines players who demonstrate unsportsmanlike conduct during the match to maintain professional standards.”
Real-World Examples
“As with many multas (fines) in Spain, the amount is halved if you pay quickly within 15 days, known as prepago.” “He said Australia should consider fines of up to $500m to make the companies take it seriously.” - 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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