Finely
/ˈfaɪnli/
Definitions
3 meaningsIn a delicate, subtle, or precise manner.
/ˈfaɪnli/
In a delicate or subtle manner.
He carved the wood finely, creating intricate details.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're making a cake and need to chop the chocolate chips super small, like really tiny! That's doing something finely. It means with great care and detail.
👶 For kids: Like when you cut things into very, very small pieces!
More Examples
The engine was finely tuned for optimal performance.
The soil was finely ground before planting the seeds.
How It's Used
"The chef chopped the herbs finely."
"The artist painted the details finely."
With great skill, quality, or excellence.
/ˈfaɪnli/
With high quality or skill.
The pianist played the concerto finely, captivating the audience.
💡 Simply: When someone does something really, really well, like a painter creating a beautiful picture or a musician playing amazing music, you could say they do it finely. It's about skill and talent.
👶 For kids: When someone does something very, very good!
More Examples
He crafted his argument finely, with impeccable logic.
The tailored suit fit him finely.
How It's Used
"The author wrote finely, capturing the nuances of emotion."
"The actor performed the role finely."
To a great degree or extent; extremely.
/ˈfaɪnli/
To a great degree; extremely
The new project is going finely.
💡 Simply: It's like saying 'very' or 'really.' For example, 'I'm feeling finely today' means you're feeling very well.
👶 For kids: When you're feeling super good!
More Examples
I am feeling finely.
The weather is finely today.
How It's Used
"I am feeling finely after a good night's sleep."
Idioms & expressions
finely-tuned
Carefully adjusted or adapted for a particular purpose.
"The car's engine was finely-tuned for racing."
From Middle English 'finelich', derived from 'fine' + '-ly' (adverbial suffix). 'Fine' in this context meant 'of good quality' or 'precise'.
Used since the 14th century, originally referring to qualities or states, such as beauty or quality, before extending to action.
Memory tip
Think of fine dining; the food is often prepared finely.
Practice
Word Origin
Suffix: -ly (manner)