refined

USAGE SUMMARY

"refined" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that has been made more sophisticated or perfect through the process of refinement or elimination of impurities. For example: "The design team had recently refined their product to meet the needs of their customers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

By that point the sound was so refined, so reduced, that it was like a classical French stock.

The Guardian - Music

Yesterday that was refined to a core of more likely suspects that could number as low as five, although police sources are cautious of narrowing one of the biggest inquiries of its kind at such a relatively early stage.

The Guardian

Howe has been giving the Cherries good feelings for years, first as a defender, then after injury as a manager in the same mould, refined, articulate and inwardly tough as teak.

The Guardian - Sport

Now refined and financed by Iran, the US and the UK, they have just one goal in mind: to remove the Al Khalifa monarchy".

The Guardian

As he has refined his brand, Johnson has stepped out.

The Guardian - Film

Since then the draft cabinet manual has been refined but MPs called for more revisions to be made.

The Guardian

It is a Labour technique refined in the Hodge Hill and Leicester byelections with mixed success.

The Guardian

An inventor in Phoenix, Arizona has cobbled together a prototype that is, frankly, a bit of a letdown – it's a mini hovercraft with rubbish stabilisers, but one that suggests the technology could be acceptably refined.

The Guardian - Film

Now 80, Hancock has refined her protest strategy somewhat.

The Guardian

Big bedrooms are simply refined in their white cotton and fine old armoires.

The Guardian - Travel

Cuban agriculture has now become a world-class laboratory for non-chemical fertilisers and pesti cides, farming in small units with highly motivated producers, and growing food in and around cities. Traditional practices, such as the use of compost castings made by red worms fed on a diet of kitchen scraps, were revived and refined.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "refined" to indicate a subtle improvement or purification, emphasizing the careful attention to detail that has led to a higher quality result. For example, "a refined palate" suggests a developed and discerning taste.

Common error

Avoid using "refined" when a simpler adjective like "improved" or "better" would suffice. "Refined" implies a level of sophistication that might be out of place in everyday descriptions.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "refined" primarily functions to describe a noun, indicating a state of improvement, purification, or sophistication. As Ludwig AI suggests, it suggests careful attention to detail and elevated quality.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Formal & Business

26%

Science

26%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "refined" is a versatile adjective used to denote improvement, purification, or sophistication. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and frequently appears in various professional and journalistic contexts, albeit often with a neutral to formal tone. The word suggests an enhanced state achieved through careful processes. While synonymous with words like ""sophisticated"" or ""improved"", it's important to use it judiciously, avoiding overuse in simple contexts to maintain its impact. Notable sources like The Guardian and The Economist demonstrate its appropriate use in high-quality writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sophisticated

Emphasizes elegance and complexity in design or taste.

improved

Highlights a positive change or enhancement in quality.

polished

Suggests a smooth, perfected state, often through careful effort.

purified

Focuses on the removal of impurities or unwanted elements.

enhanced

Indicates an increase in value or desirability.

developed

Implies growth and advancement over time.

advanced

Highlights progress and a higher level of skill or technology.

fine-tuned

Suggests small adjustments made for optimal performance.

streamlined

Focuses on efficiency and simplicity through careful design.

elaborated

Indicates detailed development and expansion of an idea or concept.

FAQs

How can I use "refined" in a sentence?

You can use "refined" to describe something that has been improved or purified. For example, "The chef used a "refined technique" to create the sauce", or "The company sells "refined sugar"".

What is a synonym for "refined"?

Some synonyms for "refined" include "sophisticated", "improved", "polished", and "purified". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "refined" or "sophisticated"?

Both "refined" and "sophisticated" suggest elegance and improvement, but "refined" emphasizes the process of purification or improvement, while "sophisticated" highlights complexity and worldliness. Choose the word that best fits the specific nuance you want to convey.

What does "refined taste" mean?

A "refined taste" suggests a highly developed and discerning preference, often in the areas of food, art, or fashion. It implies an ability to appreciate subtle qualities and make sophisticated choices.