finger

[ fing-ger ]

noun

1. any of the terminal members of the hand, especially one other than the thumb.
2. a part of a glove made to receive a finger.
3. Zoology. a projection at the tip of an elephant’s trunk that facilitates dexterity essential for grasping:

   If there are two fingers, it must be an African elephant, as the Asian elephant has only one.

4. the breadth of a finger as a unit of measurement; digit.
5. the length of a finger: approximately 4½ inches (11 centimeters).
6. Slang. an informer or spy.
7. something like a finger in form or use, as a projection or pointer:

   a finger of land leading out into the bay;

   the finger on the speedometer.

8. any of various projecting parts of machines.

verb (used with object)

1. to touch with the fingers; toy or meddle with; handle:

   I couldn't refrain from fingering the beautiful silk scarves.

2. to touch with the fingers so as to mar or spoil:

   Please don't finger the vegetables.

3. to pilfer; filch.
4. Music.
   1. to play on (an instrument) with the fingers.
   2. to perform or mark (a passage of music) with a certain fingering.
5. Slang.
   1. to inform against or identify (a criminal) to the authorities:

      He fingered the man who robbed the bank.

   2. to designate as a victim, as of murder or other crime.
6. Slang: Vulgar. to stimulate (the vagina or anus) for sexual gratification by penetration with one or more fingers.

verb (used without object)

1. to touch or handle something with the fingers.
2. to extend in or as in the shape of a finger:

   Landing piers finger out into the river along the city's shoreline.

finger

/ ˈfɪŋɡə /

noun

1. 1. any of the digits of the hand, often excluding the thumb Technical namedigitus manus
   2. ( as modifier )

      a finger bowl

   3. ( in combination ) digital

      a fingernail

2. the part of a glove made to cover a finger
3. something that resembles a finger in shape or function

   a finger of land

4. Also calleddigit the length or width of a finger used as a unit of measurement
5. a quantity of liquid in a glass, etc, as deep as a finger is wide; tot
6. a projecting machine part, esp one serving as an indicator, guide, or guard
7. burn one's fingers
   burn one's fingers to suffer from having meddled or been rash
8. get one's finger out informal.
   get one's finger outpull one's finger out to begin or speed up activity, esp after initial delay or slackness
9. have a finger in the pie
   have a finger in the piehave one's finger in the pie
   1. to have an interest in or take part in some activity
   2. to meddle or interfere
10. lay a finger on
    lay a finger on usually negative to harm
11. lay one's finger on
    lay one's finger onput one's finger on to indicate, identify, or locate accurately
12. let slip through one's fingers
    let slip through one's fingers to allow to escape; miss narrowly
13. not lift a finger
    not lift a fingernot raise a finger foll by an infinitive not to make any effort (to do something)
14. point the finger at
    point the finger at to accuse or blame
15. put the finger on informal.
    put the finger on
    1. to inform on or identify, esp for the police
    2. to choose (the victim or location of an intended crime)
16. twist around one's little finger
    twist around one's little fingerwrap around one's little finger to have easy and complete control or influence over

verb

1. tr to touch or manipulate with the fingers; handle
2. informal.
   tr to identify as a criminal or suspect
3. intr to extend like a finger
4. to use one's fingers in playing (an instrument, such as a piano or clarinet)
5. to indicate on (a composition or part) the fingering required by a pianist, harpsichordist, etc
6. tr; usually passive to arrange the keys of (a clarinet, flute, etc) for playing in a certain way

Derived Forms

• ˈfingerer, noun
• ˈfingerless, adjective

Other Words From

• fin·ger·er noun
• fin·ger·less adjective
• re·fin·ger verb

Word History and Origins

Origin of finger¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English, Old English; cognate with German Finger, Dutch vinger, Old Norse fingr, Gothic figgrs

Word History and Origins

Origin of finger¹

Old English; related to Old Norse fingr , Gothic figgrs , Old High German fingar ; see five , fist

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. burn one's fingers, to suffer injury or loss by meddling or by acting rashly:

   If you get involved in the controversy, you may burn your fingers.

2. give (someone) the finger, Slang. to express contempt for (someone) by or as if by making the obscene gesture of pointing the middle finger upward while folding the other fingers against the palm and turning the back of the hand outward: Also flip (someone) the bird.

   Someone gave me the finger for driving too slow.

3. have a finger in the pie,
   1. to have an interest or share in something.
   2. to meddle in something.
4. keep one's fingers crossed, to wish for good luck or success, as in a specific endeavor:

   Keep your fingers crossed that I get the job.

5. lay / put one's finger on,
   1. to indicate exactly; remember:

      I know the name, but I can't put my finger on it.

   2. to discover; locate:

      I haven't been able to lay my finger on the book you requested.

6. not lift a finger, to make not even a small attempt; do nothing:

   The house was falling into ruin, but he wouldn't lift a finger to repair it.

7. put the finger on, Slang. finger ( def 13 ).
8. slip through one's fingers,
   1. to elude one, as an opportunity not taken; escape:

      She let the chance of a lifetime slip through her fingers.

   2. to pass or be consumed quickly:

      Money just slips through his fingers.

9. snap one's fingers (at), to exhibit disdain or contempt (for):

   She snaps her fingers at the local gossip.

10. twist / wrap around one's little finger, to exert one's influence easily or successfully upon:

    He has a remarkable talent for twisting people around his little finger.

More idioms and phrases containing finger

In addition to the idiom beginning with finger , also see at one's fingertips ; burn one's fingers ; cross one's fingers ; give someone the finger ; lay a finger on ; let slip (through the fingers) ; not lift a finger ; point the finger at ; put one's finger on ; put the finger on ; snap one's fingers at ; sticky fingers ; twist around one's finger ; work one's fingers to the bone .

Example Sentences

With one finger, double-tap and hold on the screen, then move your finger up or down to zoom in or out.

From Popular-Science

The Surface Duo is compatible with Microsoft’s line of Surface styluses, useful for writing notes, highlighting and editing text, and generally using in place of your fingers to scroll around.

From Fortune

Plus, it might be the first time the customer can put their finger on how much their branding drives their income, a question they have probably struggled with for a long time.

From Search Engine Watch

He slipped through the cracks, slipped through our fingers, many, many times.

From Vox

This cutter is designed with an ergonomic handle to keep you in control and your fingers out of the way.

From Popular-Science

A whole population of 11 million with every iron in the fire doubling as a finger in a dike.

From The Daily Beast

For those who have a problem with that, she offered a charming, subtle middle finger.

From The Daily Beast

I like to end columns with a potential policy fix, some kind of suggested action, or at least a stern finger-wagging.

From The Daily Beast

He stuck his index finger in the red welt around the spot where bin Laden shot me.

From The Daily Beast

Orwell put his finger on the core problem years before he wrote 1984.

From The Daily Beast

And the finger he pointed at the girl quivered with the rage that filled him at this trick they had thought to put upon him.

From Project Gutenberg

"You have give a limb," repeated Perry, emphasizing the announcement by shaking his finger at the old man.

From Project Gutenberg

I played up one octave, and then I wished to go on by placing my first finger on F sharp.

From Project Gutenberg

The blood is obtained from the finger-tip or the lobe of the ear, as for a blood count; only a very small drop is required.

From Project Gutenberg

He towered grimly above her, shaking a threatening finger in her very face.

From Project Gutenberg