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AbbreviationsCapitalizationCompound Words: Everything You Need to KnowContractionsSpellingWhat is the difference between 'fine' and 'find'?
The words fine and find are often confused because they are easy to mistype. We'll explain the difference.
Find means to encounter or discover by accident; to happen upon when used as a verb.
Fine means of superior quality when used as an adjective.
Fine is also used as a noun. It means fee or monetary penalty.
A good way to remember the difference is FinD means Discover.
Out of the two words, 'find' is the most common. It appears about three times more frequently than 'fine'.
It's easy to mix up words with similar spellings.
Find can be a verb that means "to locate or discover." It can also be a noun that means "a discovery."
Fine can be several parts of speech. As an adjective, it means "of superior quality or very delicate." As a verb, it can mean "to charge a fee as a penalty." As a noun, it can mean "a monetary penalty, a punitive fee."
Is the correct phrase 'fine and dandy' or 'find and dandy'?
The correct phrase is 'fine and dandy'. These phrases are often confused because they look similar.
Is the right expression 'fine as wine' or 'find as wine'?
The correct phrase is 'fine as wine'. These phrases are often confused because they have a similar spelling.
Should I use 'fine line' or 'find line'?
The correct expression is 'fine line'. These phrases are often confused because they are easy to mistype.
Which is correct 'in fine fettle' or 'in find fettle'?
The right expression is 'in fine fettle'. These phrases are often confused because they have a similar spelling.
Should I use 'read the fine print' or 'read the find print'?
The right phrase is 'read the fine print'. These phrases are often confused because they are easy to mistype.
Some synonyms of fine are: nice, small, delicate, fee, penalty, reparation.
Some synonyms of find are: discover, uncover, encounter, detect.
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The definitions in this article were adapted from Wiktionary.
Examples of fine in a sentence
I sang “Kasih” again just fine and drew approving smiles all around, including from the Prince.- Some Girls: My Life in a Harem by Jillian Lauren
He’s a fine young man.- Secret Weapon Spouse by B. J. Daniels
He was a fine, fine man.- In the night room: a novel by Peter Straub
DWI was a Class A misdemeanor and carried a mandatory sentence and fine.- Nothing gold can stay by Dana Stabenow
You’re doing fine.”- The Battle of the Labyrinth by Rick Riordan
Examples of find in a sentence
You seldom find an eyewitness to a poisoning;- Demon Lord of Karanda by David Eddings
What other treasures would he find to lay at her feet?- Nothing gold can stay by Dana Stabenow
He’d have to find someone else for Soleuse.- The Rise and Fall of a Dragonking by Lynn Abbey
Better not let him find her there when he came out again–doing nothing, perhaps listening.- From Russia with love: a James Bond novel by Ian Fleming
But if I find you on my land after tonight, you'll be treated as a common trespasser."- Cropper's cabin by Jim Thompson
