refining

[/rɪˈfaɪnɪŋ/]

verb (gerund/present participle) / noun

refinação / refinamento / aperfeiçoamento

1. The process of purifying a substance, especially crude oil or metals, by removing impurities

The refining of crude oil produces gasoline and diesel.

A refinação do petróleo bruto produz gasolina e diesel.

2. The process of improving something by making small changes or adjustments to make it better or more elegant

She spent weeks refining her essay before submitting it.

Ela passou semanas aperfeiçoando seu ensaio antes de submetê-lo.

3. Making something more sophisticated, cultured, or polished

Refining one's taste in art takes years of study.

Aperfeiçoar o gosto em arte leva anos de estudo.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Regional Variations

General Brazilian

refinação / refinamento

Most common usage in industrial and general contexts

São Paulo

refino

Technical/industrial term used in oil and metal industries

Portugal

refinação / apuramento

Apuramento is more common for the sense of 'perfecting' or 'improving'

refining one's skills

refining the process

oil refining

refining the details

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