finesse
finesse Lexical Profile
finesse Game Scores & Validity
• noun
Impressive delicacy, skill, or artistry in performance or execution.
"The pianist played the intricate sonata with remarkable technical finesse."
Refined tact and subtle skill in handling a difficult or sensitive situation without causing offense.
"Resolving the dispute between the two departments required considerable diplomatic finesse."
In bridge and whist, an attempt to win a trick with a card that is not the highest held in that suit, relying on the favorable position of higher cards in the opponents' hands.
"The declarer's successful finesse of the queen of spades secured the contract."
• verb
To do or manage something in a subtle, delicate, or skillful manner.
"She spent the afternoon finessing the wording of the proposal before submitting it to the board."
To evade or get around an issue or difficulty by subtle, clever, or deceptive means.
"The spokesperson managed to finesse the reporter's pointed question about the budget deficit."
To play a card that is not the highest held in the suit in hopes of winning a trick (in bridge and whist).
"With only one entry left to the dummy hand, he decided to finesse the jack of hearts."
• Rhymes for finesse
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the early 16th century from Middle French finesse, meaning 'subtlety' or 'delicacy', derived from the adjective fin ('fine, delicate') plus the abstract noun suffix -esse.