# refine

> English word · Verb · IPA /ɹɪˈfaɪn/ · frequency rank #20,204

## Definitions
1. To purify; reduce to a fine, unmixed, or pure state; to free from impurities.
2. To become pure; to be cleared of impure matter.
3. To purify of coarseness, vulgarity, inelegance, etc.; to polish.
4. To improve in accuracy, delicacy, or excellence.
5. To make nice or subtle.

## Etymology
From re- + fine.

## Easily confused with
- **rein** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/refine-vs-rein)
- **Rene** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/refine-vs-rene)
- **resin** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/refine-vs-resin)
- **reins** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/refine-vs-reins)
- **Rhine** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/refine-vs-rhine)
- **refit** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/refine-vs-refit)
- **refuse** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/refine-vs-refuse)
- **remind** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/refine-vs-remind)
- **regime** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/refine-vs-regime)
- **retire** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/refine-vs-retire)
- **refund** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/refine-vs-refund)
- **refuge** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/refine-vs-refuge)
- **revive** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/refine-vs-revive)
- **reside** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/refine-vs-reside)
- **regina** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/refine-vs-regina)
- **revise** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/refine-vs-revise)
- **retina** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/refine-vs-retina)
- **relive** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/refine-vs-relive)
- **rewind** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/refine-vs-rewind)
- **refute** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/refine-vs-refute)

## Common misspellings (8)
`erfine`, `reffine`, `refien`, `refinne`, `refnie`, `reifne`, `rfeine`, `rrefine`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/refine