ultrafine

1 5.2

Something that is very small, like tiny particles or thin fibers

adjective
/ˌʌltrəˈfaɪn/

: ultrafino

Studies on rodents show that the inflammatory response is more prominent when ultrafine particles are administered compared with larger particles (Oberdrster, 2001), suggesting either a particle number or surface area effect.
ultrafine particles

So you're feeling fresh and ultrafine pearls to give your skin a soft glow.

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Examples

Invisible, ultrafine dust particles generated by power tools like table saws are especially hazardous.
It is further classified according to size: in terms of diameter, fine particles cover a range between 100 and 2,500 nanometers, while ultrafine particles, on the other hand, are sized between 1 and 100 nanometers.

Blog text (30)
This sunshine mix here that we have has a combination of what's called ultrafine and fine perlite.
So you're feeling fresh and ultrafine pearls to give your skin a soft glow.

Allana Davison
The lymphatics and lymph nodes of patients with podoconiosis contain particulate alumino-silicates in macrophages, consistent with the theory that ultrafine clay minerals are absorbed through the feet.

Academic text (1994)
Silicone-based primers and powders with ultrafine particles give the illusion of a soft focus.
While coarse pollution particles seldom make it past our upper lungs, fine and ultrafine particles can travel from our nostrils into our brains.

Synonyms

tiny

vsultrafine

∞ 1.0

So small it can fit in your hand

specifies that particles or fibers are much smaller than typical ones

small

vsultrafine

Specialized

380 1.0

Made of very tiny particles

means particles or fibers much smaller than typical ones

fine

vsultrafine

252 1.0

Has very small particles so it feels smooth

refers to particles or fibers significantly smaller than common sizes

microscopic

vsultrafine

52 4.8

So small that only a microscope can see it

focuses on being far smaller than usual rather than only viewability

minuscule

vsultrafine

37 4.4

Very small in size or amount

focuses on particles or fibers much smaller than typical ones

micro

vsultrafine

4 5.1

Very small in size, amount, or effect

is specifically about particles or fibers much smaller than usual

superfine

vsultrafine

1 5.3

Very high quality and delicate, often used for cloth or food

focuses on unusual smallness of particles or fibers rather than quality

fine-grained

vsultrafine

1 4.4

Contains very small, closely packed particles that make it feel smooth like fine sugar

emphasizes being far smaller than normal particle size

miniscule

vsultrafine

1 4.3

Very small and easy to miss

focuses on particles or fibers much smaller than usual

microscale

vsultrafine

Specialized

1 6.0

Used to describe very small sizes or amounts in science

describes the extreme smallness of particles or fibers themselves rather than scale

extrafine

vsultrafine

Specialized

5.3

Very tiny particles or droplets found in air

focuses on particles or fibers much smaller than usual

small-grained

vsultrafine

4.0

Made of very small pieces like fine sand

describes particles far smaller than their usual size

ultramicroscopic

vsultrafine

Specialized

9.9

So small that a normal light microscope cannot show it, only special microscopes can

refers to particles or fibers defined by being far smaller than usual

microscopical

vsultrafine

Specialized

9.1

So small that you can only see it with a microscope

emphasizes particles or fibers much smaller than their normal size

How Fine

microscopic

52 4.8

ultrafine

1 5.2

fine

252 1.0

coarse

26 3.7

Surface Forms

ultrafine positive

Morphology

ultrafine = fine (transparent) = ultra + fine

The meaning is directly compositional: 'ultra-' adds the sense of 'extremely' to 'fine'.

Etymology

The word ultrafine joins the part ultra- meaning 'beyond' or 'extreme', as in ultraviolet, with fine meaning 'very small' or 'thin', like a 'fine thread'. So ultrafine describes something that is 'extremely small', much smaller than usual.