fine print

Meanings

1. 1noununcountable

   The small-text part of an agreement or advertisement that sets out limits and conditions people often miss.

   Grammar: Takes a singular verb and no plural: the fine print says otherwise.

   Patterns

   • read the fine print
   • check the fine print

   Always read the fine print before signing a phone contract.

   The fine print said the free trial would renew automatically.

   She missed the fine print and ended up paying extra fees.

2. 2noununcountable

   Small type itself, whatever it says.

   Grammar: Literal sense: the fine print was hard to read.

   Patterns

   • hard to read the fine print

   The fine print on the bottle was too small to read without glasses.

   My grandmother holds the label at arm's length to read the fine print.

   The ticket's fine print listed the venue rules.

Common combinations

read the fine print

Read the fine print before you agree to any offer.

hidden in the fine print

The fee was hidden in the fine print.

check the fine print

Check the fine print for cancellation terms.

the fine print says

The fine print says you must give 30 days' notice.

in the fine print

The catch was in the fine print.

Synonyms and how they differ

small print

Small print is the more British variant and means exactly the same thing.

terms and conditions

Terms and conditions is the formal name for the full set of rules, but fine print suggests that important points are hidden in small type.

catch

A catch is the hidden disadvantage itself, while fine print is where it is written.

disclaimer

A disclaimer denies responsibility for something, whereas fine print can contain any conditions.

Opposites

Word family

fine adjective

very thin or small

print noun

printed letters or text

small print noun

British variant

Commonly confused: fine print or fine?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “fine print”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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