Merriam-Webster Logo SINCE 1828 GAMES & QUIZZES THESAURUS WORD OF THE DAY FEATURES SHOP LOG IN REGISTER MY WORDS Dictionary Thesaurus finesse noun Save Word fi·nesse | \ fə-ˈnes \ Essential Meaning of finesse : skill and cleverness that is shown in the way someone deals with a situation, problem, etc. She handled the interview questions with finesse. Full Definition of finesse (Entry 1 of 2) 1 : refinement or delicacy of workmanship, structure, or texture trinkets of an extreme finesse — Arnold Rosin 2 : skillful handling of a situation : adroit maneuvering She handled the interviewer's questions with finesse. 3 : the withholding of one's highest card or trump in the hope that a lower card will take the trick because the only opposing higher card is in the hand of an opponent who has already played finesse verb finessed; finessing Definition of finesse (Entry 2 of 2) intransitive verb : to make a finesse in playing cards transitive verb 1 : to play (a card) in a finesse 2 a : to bring about, direct, or manage by adroit maneuvering finesse his way through tight places — Marquis James b : EVADE, SKIRT finesse the hard issues Synonyms Frequently Asked Questions About finesse More Example Sentences Learn More About finesse Synonyms for finesse Synonyms: Noun adroitness, cleverness, dexterity, sleight Synonyms: Verb contrive, engineer, finagle, frame, machinate, maneuver, manipulate, mastermind, negotiate, wangle Visit the Thesaurus for More Frequently Asked Questions About finesse What does it mean to finesse something? If you finesse something, you handle it or do it skillfully and cleverly. What is the difference between finesse and fineness? Finesse refers to the skill and cleverness someone shows in the way they deal with a situation or problem. Fineness refers to a thing's quality of being fine—for example, the fineness of print (that is, how small the letters are) or the fineness of one wire in comparison to another (that is, how thin they are). What are some synonyms of finesse? Adroitness, cleverness, and dexterity are all synonyms of finesse. Examples of finesse in a Sentence Noun She handled the interview questions with finesse. maneuvered his opponent into checkmate with his customary finesse See More Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Awkwardness ensued as Buttigieg's interpersonal communication skills lacked the authoritative finesse of his speeches. — David Oliver, USA TODAY, 13 Nov. 2021 On Sunday, Juhász came out with high energy and aggression from the get-go, showing off some skilled post moves, an ability to use her body to get around defenders and a finesse around the rim to convert a pair of offensive putbacks. — Alexa Philippou, courant.com, 9 Nov. 2021 These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'finesse.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback. See More First Known Use of finesse Noun 15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Verb 1742, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense History and Etymology for finesse Noun Middle English, "fineness," borrowed from Middle French, "fineness, subtlety, ruse, trick," from fin FINE entry 1 + -esse, suffix forming abstract nouns from adjectives, going back to Latin -itia (with phonetic development as if from -icia) — more at -ICE Verb derivative of FINESSE entry 1 Learn More About finesse Share finesse Time Traveler for finesse The first known use of finesse was in the 15th century See more words from the same century Dictionary Entries Near finesse finespun finesse finest See More Nearby Entries Statistics for finesse Last Updated 16 Nov 2021 Look-up Popularity Top 1% of words Cite this Entry “Finesse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/finesse. Accessed 27 Nov. 2021. 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