as in natural foods
US
a piece of food that is meant to be picked up with the fingers and eaten
Waiters offered the guests finger food during the cocktail hour.
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Recent Examples of finger foods
The food shies away from the typical — no crab rangoon here — for finger foods that harken to cuisines outside the South Pacific, like Jamaican style jerk shrimp skewers ($18) and salmon ceviche ($16).
—
Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 6 Feb. 2026
Use them for serving finger foods, grabbing items from a hot toaster, or serving on a buffet.
—Rebecca Jones, Southern Living, 21 Dec. 2025
For example, a traditional caprese salad can be transformed into finger foods by alternating cherry tomatoes, chunks of mozzarella and leaves of basil on skewers.
—Metro Creative Services, Boston Herald, 23 Nov. 2025
For a more relaxed vibe, consider keeping things simple with tasty finger foods and letting everyone settle in for a Halloween movie marathon once the kids return home.
—Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Oct. 2025
Patrons can expect finger foods like wings and dips, healthy options including salads and fish, indulgent pastas and a burger program that Gurland is especially excited about.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 25 Sep. 2025
Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 6 Feb. 2026
Use them for serving finger foods, grabbing items from a hot toaster, or serving on a buffet.
—Rebecca Jones, Southern Living, 21 Dec. 2025
For example, a traditional caprese salad can be transformed into finger foods by alternating cherry tomatoes, chunks of mozzarella and leaves of basil on skewers.
—Metro Creative Services, Boston Herald, 23 Nov. 2025
For a more relaxed vibe, consider keeping things simple with tasty finger foods and letting everyone settle in for a Halloween movie marathon once the kids return home.
—Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Oct. 2025
Patrons can expect finger foods like wings and dips, healthy options including salads and fish, indulgent pastas and a burger program that Gurland is especially excited about.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 25 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for finger foods
Noun
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The first night is typically spent at Sirena Ranger Station, a dorm-style accommodation with hearty meals.—
Meghan Palmer,
Condé Nast Traveler,
29 Mar. 2026
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Affecting the first two receptors means retatrutide may help suppress appetite and slow digestion, which can help users feel full after eating even smaller meals.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Across the Northeast, a host of summer camps deliver a mix of old-school camp experiences — complete with arts and crafts, s’mores and lakeside fun — but with decidedly adult upgrades such as cocktails and chic bunkhouses.—
Robin Roenker,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
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Signature cocktails will also be available.—
Kaycee Sloan,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Meanwhile, employees at both DFW Airport and Love Field are collecting donations – including nonperishable food, hygiene items, baby supplies, and gas or grocery gift cards – to further support federal aviation workers affected by the shutdown.—
Lauren Crawford,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
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The idea was controversial, because volcanoes were always thought to act independently, tapping their own supplies of molten, eruptible rock.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Finger foods.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/finger%20foods. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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