Definition of "finesse" in English

noun

1. (uncountable) Skill in the handling or manipulation of a situation.

2. (uncountable) The property of having elegance, grace, refinement, or skill.

3. (countable) An adroit manoeuvre.

4. (countable, card games) In bridge, whist, etc.: a technique which allows one to win a trick, usually by playing a card when it is thought that a card that can beat it is held by another player whose turn is over.

verb

1. (transitive, chiefly Canada, US, politics) To evade (a problem, situation, etc.) by using some clever argument or stratagem.

2. (intransitive, card games) To attempt to win a trick by finessing.

3. (transitive, card games) To play (a card) as a finesse.

4. (intransitive, croquet, obsolete) To play a ball out of the way of an opponent.