finger

1 of 2

noun

fin·​ger ˈfiŋ-gər 

1

: any of the five terminating members of the hand : a digit of the forelimb

especially : one other than the thumb

2

a

: something that resembles a finger

a narrow finger of land

b

: a part of a glove into which a finger is inserted

c

: a projecting piece (such as a pawl for a ratchet) brought into contact with an object to affect its motion

3

: the breadth of a finger

4

: interest, share

—often used in the phrase have a finger in the pie

5

: bird sense 10

—usually used with the

fingerlike

ˈfiŋ-gər-ˌlīk 

adjective

finger

2 of 2

verb

fingered; fingering ˈfiŋ-g(ə-)riŋ 

transitive verb

1

: to touch or feel with the fingers

2

a

: to play (a musical instrument) with the fingers

b

: to play (notes, chords, etc.) with a specific fingering

c

: to mark the notes of (a music score) as a guide in playing

3

: to point out : identify

4

: to extend into or penetrate in the shape of a finger

intransitive verb

1

: to touch or handle something

2

a

: to use the fingers in playing a musical instrument

b

: to have a certain fingering

—used of a musical instrument

3

: to extend in the shape or manner of a finger

Synonyms

Verb

• distinguish
• ID
• identify
• pinpoint
• single (out)

Examples of finger in a Sentence

Noun

Don't stick your fingers in the cookie batter!

He slipped the ring onto her finger.

The baby held onto my thumb with her tiny fingers.

She ran her fingers through his hair.

He drummed his fingers on the table impatiently.

a finger of land extending into the sea

She was so mad, she gave him the finger.

Some angry driver flipped me the finger on the highway this morning.

Verb

He was fingered as a suspect.

thus far authorities haven't been able to finger the person who's been lighting fires around town

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

On one hand, her pinky finger is a creamy blue-violet shade, while her ring finger is a bright chartreuse holo with tons of lit-from-within shimmer. —Kara Nesvig, Allure, 21 Nov. 2024

While attending last month’s Netflix world premiere of the Olivia Rodrigo: GUTS World Tour concert documentary, the artist zeroed in on one shutterbug and pointed her finger before walking over to give them a piece of her mind in a video shared to social media. —Glenn Garner, Deadline, 20 Nov. 2024

Verb

Instead, some pundits finger Neptune’s inner heat as the power source. —Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Nov. 2024

In fact, Tekle’s research into the countless crimes against humanity amid the conflict fingered belligerents on all sides, finding the separatists and federal Ethiopian government mutually culpable for systematic murders and rapes of civilians. —Vittoria Elliott, WIRED, 13 Dec. 2022

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German fingar finger

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

circa 1521, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2a

Phrases Containing finger

• finger bowl
• finger food
• finger hole
• finger paint
• finger painting
• finger-pointing
• finger spelling
• finger wave
• fish finger
• five-finger
• flipped me the finger
• gave him the finger
• give (someone) the finger
• have a finger in a/the/every pie
• have/keep/put one's finger on the pulse of
• index finger
• lay a finger on
• lift a finger
• little finger
• middle finger
• point an accusing finger at
• point a/the finger at
• put one's finger on
• put the finger on
• ring finger
• the finger
• the finger of blame/suspicion
• wrap (someone) around one's (little) finger

Video

When Body Parts Are Also Verbs

Head, shoulders, metaphors, and toes

Kids Definition

finger

1 of 2 noun

fin·​ger ˈfiŋ-gər 

1

: one of the five divisions of the end of the hand

especially : one other than the thumb

2

a

: something that resembles or does the work of a finger

b

: a part of a glove into which a finger is inserted

3

: the width of a finger

fingered

-gərd

adjective

fingerlike

-gər-ˌlīk 

adjective

finger

2 of 2 verb

fingered; fingering -g(ə-)riŋ 

1

: to touch with the fingers : handle

2

: to perform with the fingers or with a certain fingering

Medical Definition

finger

noun

fin·​ger ˈfiŋ-gər 

: any of the five terminating members of the hand : a digit of the forelimb

especially : one other than the thumb

Legal Definition

finger

transitive verb

fin·​ger

fingered; fingering

: to accuse or identify as guilty

was fingered simply because he fit the stereotype of a young, black street criminal

—Jack Ewing