What does finesse mean?

Definitions for finesse
fɪˈnɛssfi·nesse

This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word finesse.

Princeton's WordNet

  1. delicacy, diplomacy, discreetness, finessenoun

    subtly skillful handling of a situation

Wiktionary

  1. finessenoun

    The property of having grace, elegance, skill, or balance.

  2. finessenoun

    Skill in handling of a situation.

  3. finessenoun

    An adroit maneuver.

  4. finessenoun

    A technique which allows one to promote tricks based on a favorable position of one or more cards in the hands of the opponent.

  5. finesseverb

    To handle or manage carefully or skillfully.

  6. finesseverb

    To evade.

  7. Etymology: from finesse, from fin.

Samuel Johnson's Dictionary

  1. FINESSEnoun

    Artifice; stratagem: an unnecessary word which is creeping into the language.

    Etymology: French.

    A circumstance not much to be stood upon, in case it were not upon some finess. John Hayward.

Wikipedia

  1. Finesse

    In contract bridge and similar games, a finesse is a type of card play technique which will enable a player to win an additional trick or tricks should there be a favorable position of one or more cards in the hands of the opponents. The player attempts to win either the current trick or a later trick with a card of the suit he leads notwithstanding that the opponents hold a higher card in the suit; the attempt is based on the assumption that the higher card is held by a particular opponent. The specifics of the technique vary depending upon the suit combination being played and the number of tricks the player is attempting to win in that suit.

ChatGPT

  1. finesse

    Finesse refers to the skillful and delicate handling or execution of a particular task or situation. It involves using careful and clever tactics to maneuver or achieve a desired outcome, often in a smooth and graceful manner. Finesse implies the ability to navigate complex or challenging situations with subtlety, poise, and precision, emphasizing expertise, tact, and astuteness.

Webster Dictionary

  1. Finesseadjective

    subtilty of contrivance to gain a point; artifice; stratagem

  2. Finesseadjective

    the act of finessing. See Finesse, v. i., 2

  3. Finesseverb

    to use artifice or stratagem

  4. Finesseverb

    to attempt, when second or third player, to make a lower card answer the purpose of a higher, when an intermediate card is out, risking the chance of its being held by the opponent yet to play

  5. Etymology: [F., fr. fin fine. See Fine, a.]

Wikidata

  1. Finesse

    In contract bridge and similar games, a finesse is a card play technique which will enable a player to win an additional trick or tricks should there be a favorable position of one or more cards in the hands of the opponents. The player attempts to win either the current trick or a later trick with a card of the suit he leads notwithstanding that the opponents hold a higher card in the suit; the attempt is based on the assumption that the higher card is held by a particular opponent. The specifics of the technique vary depending upon the suit combination being played and the number of tricks the player is attempting to win in that suit.

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary

  1. Finesse

    fi-nes′, n. subtlety of contrivance: artifice: an endeavour by a player holding (say) queen and ace to take the trick with the lower card.—v.i. to use artifice.—ns. Fines′ser; Fines′sing. [Fr.]

Suggested Resources

  1. finesse

    Song lyrics by finesse -- Explore a large variety of song lyrics performed by finesse on the Lyrics.com website.

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Numerology

  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of finesse in Chaldean Numerology is: 3

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of finesse in Pythagorean Numerology is: 5

Examples of finesse in a Sentence

  1. Tiffany Fitzgerald:

    It is more about mental endurance and finesse and skill than it is strength and force, so you can play golf for a lifetime.

  2. Walter LaFeber:

    [H]is foreign policy displayed a realism, a careful calculation of forces and… diplomatic finesse…. Stalin’s priority was not world revolution but, once again, Russian security and his own personal power. (Feber, 1993, p. 22 of America, Russia and the Cold War 1945-1992.)

  3. Gary Bauer:

    The temptation by politicians is to try and finesse these issues and move on, but no member will be able to claim ignorance.

  4. Bill Norris:

    In the early days the game was n’t as physical as it is now. When I first started they played with wooden rackets so you had to have more finesse. We had some injuries for our time but we never had the rotator tears of the muscle.

  5. Ramana Pemmaraju:

    Most of them are remembered for their works, few are remembered in spite of them...for their finesse!”

Popularity rank by frequency of use

finesse#10000#35918#100000

Translations for finesse

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"finesse." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 19 Apr. 2024. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/finesse>.

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