# finesse

/fɪˈnɛs/ (US) · /fɪnˈɛs/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/finesse
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

to handle a difficult situation with great skill and style. In casual talk, it can also mean getting what you want by being clever or slightly sneaky.

For teachers: to handle or manage a situation with great delicacy and skill. In contemporary informal usage, it describes the act of obtaining something through clever manipulation or social engineering.

## Examples

- She managed to finesse the deal despite the difficult terms.
- The diplomat had to finesse the negotiations to ensure both parties felt they had won something significant.
- While the technical requirements were daunting, the lead architect managed to finesse the final design to satisfy both the historical preservation society and the modern developers.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He finessed about the problem" but "He finessed the problem" — Finesse is a transitive verb and does not require a preposition like 'about' before the object.

## Usage notes

- Transitive verb; takes a direct object representing the situation or object being managed.

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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.