finesse

Fetched 2026-10-26 (cache).

Synonyms: finess

Antonyms: finess

Related words from Datamuse; suggestions, not definitions.

Noun

{{lb|en|uncountable}} A [[skill]] in the [[handling#Noun|handling]] or [[manipulation]] of a [[situation]]. {{defdate|from c. 1520}}
{{lb|en|uncountable}} The [[property]] of having [[elegance]], [[grace]], [[refinement]], or [[skill]]. {{defdate|from mid 16th c.}}
{{lb|en|countable}} An [[adroit]] [[maneuver#Noun|maneuver]]. {{defdate|from mid 16th c.}}
{{lb|en|countable|card games}} In [[bridge#Noun|bridge]], [[whist]], etc.: a [[technique]] which allows one to [[win#Verb|win]] a [[trick#Noun|trick]], usually by [[play#Verb|playing]] a [[card#Noun|card]] when it is thought that a card that can [[beat#Verb|beat]] it is [[hold#Verb|held]] by another [[player]] whose [[turn#Noun|turn]] is over. {{defdate|from early 18th c.}}

{{lb|en|transitive|chiefly|Canada|US|politics}} To [[evade]] (a [[problem]], [[situation]], etc.) by using some [[clever]] [[argument]] or [[stratagem]].
{{lb|en|intransitive|card games}} To [[attempt#Verb|attempt]] to [[win#Verb|win]] a [[trick#Noun|trick]] by finessing. {{defdate|from mid 18th c.}}
{{lb|en|transitive|card games}} To [[play#Verb|play]] (a [[card#Noun|card]]) as a [[#Noun|finesse]]. {{defdate|from mid 18th c.}}
{{lb|en|intransitive|[[croquet]]|obsolete}} To [[play#Verb|play]] a [[ball#Noun|ball]] out of the way of an [[opponent]].

Source: Wiktionary · CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wiktionary dump) · cached copy, not a rewrite.