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Synonyms

forefinger

American  
[fawr-fing-ger, fohr-] / ˈfɔrˌfɪŋ gər, ˈfoʊr- /

noun

  • forefingers
    plural
  1. the first finger next to the thumb.


forefinger British  
/ ˈfɔːˌfɪŋɡə /

noun

  1. Also called: index finger.  the finger next to the thumb

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

Etymology

Origin of forefinger

First recorded in 1400–50, forefinger is from the late Middle English word forefyngure. See fore-, finger

Vocabulary lists containing forefinger

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

He closes his eyes, takes a deep breath and touches the forefinger and middle finger of his right hand to his lips.

From Salon Sep. 7, 2025

They’re lightweight, attach to your forefinger and fit comfortably in your palm, so you can carry other items and nearly forget they’re there until you need them.

From Los Angeles Times Nov. 3, 2024

In a study published in 2022, Makin used a nerve blocker to temporarily mimic the effect of amputation of the forefinger in her subjects.

From Science Daily Nov. 21, 2023

Simultaneously, people had to press a button on the steering wheel with their left forefinger each time a small device attached to their left collarbone vibrated.

From Scientific American Jul. 28, 2023

As I got up from the table, Granddaddy studied the chandelier and smoothed his mustache with his forefinger.

From "The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate" by Jacqueline Kelly

To emphasize the designer’s practicality-meets-design approach, Rogen gestured to another Bosse creation, this one a hand-shaped brass ashtray with forefingers poised mid-pinch.

From Los Angeles Times Aug. 6, 2024

Before receiving their handouts, men signed a list by pressing their forefingers dipped in blue ink; women used red.

From New York Times Dec. 24, 2022

When she landed firm and kept her footing on her final jump, she pointed one, then both forefingers to the sky.

From Seattle Times Feb. 14, 2022

And then, perhaps, he puts his thumbs and forefingers together to form a square so that he can look at her through the square.

From The New Yorker Dec. 10, 2018

Very deliberately, Kingshaw inserted his forefingers under the string, and pulled the satchel off his back.

From "I'm the King of the Castle" by Susan Hill

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