finger

[ fing-ger ]

/ ˈfɪŋ gər /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR finger ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

any of the terminal members of the hand, especially one other than the thumb.

a part of a glove made to receive a finger.

the breadth of a finger as a unit of measurement; digit.

the length of a finger: approximately 4½ inches (11 cm).

Slang. an informer or spy.

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.

any of various projecting parts of machines.

verb (used with object)

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

to touch with the fingers so as to mar or spoil: Please don't finger the vegetables.

to pilfer; filch.

Music.

to play on (an instrument) with the fingers.
to perform or mark (a passage of music) with a certain fingering.

Slang.

to inform against or identify (a criminal) to the authorities: He fingered the man who robbed the bank.
to designate as a victim, as of murder or other crime.

verb (used without object)

to touch or handle something with the fingers.

to extend in or as in the shape of a finger: Landing piers finger out into the river along the city's shoreline.

Nearby words

Idioms

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.

give (someone) the finger, Slang. to express contempt for by or as by the obscene gesture of pointing the middle finger upward while folding the other fingers against the palm.

have a finger in the pie,

to have an interest or share in something.
to meddle in something.

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.

lay/put one's finger on,

to indicate exactly; remember: I know the name, but I can't put my finger on it.
to discover; locate: I haven't been able to lay my finger on the book you requested.

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.

put the finger on, Slang. finger(def 12).

slip through one's fingers,

to elude one, as an opportunity not taken; escape: She let the chance of a lifetime slip through her fingers.
to pass or be consumed quickly: Money just slips through his fingers.

snap one's fingers (at), to exhibit disdain or contempt (for): She snaps her fingers at the local gossip.

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.

Origin of finger

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

Related formsfin·ger·er, nounfin·ger·less, adjectivere·fin·ger, verb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for finger

A whole population of 11 million with every iron in the fire doubling as a finger in a dike.
The Life and Hard Times Of The Family A Cuban Defector Left Behind|Brin-Jonathan Butler|December 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Orwell put his finger on the core problem years before he wrote 1984.
Digital Doublethink: Playing Truth or Dare with Putin, Assad and ISIS|Christopher Dickey, Anna Nemtsova|November 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
My finger burned when it touched the blossom of lead embedded in the ceramic armor.
I Shot Bin Laden|Elliot Ackerman|November 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Her abusive husband tormented their toddler to drive Walters crazy without lifting a finger—and it tragically worked.
The Worst Question for Abuse Victims|Emily Shire|October 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST

I saw a woman collapse on the street and no one, including me, raised a finger to help.
In Sierra Leone, the Plague Is Closing in Around Us|Ned Eustace|October 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Sure of the result, he pressed with his finger tips upon the lower end of that short piece of board.
Murder at Bridge|Anne Austin
But it was too late: the finger had pulled the trigger and the ball sped true.
To Leeward|F. Marion Crawford
His finger tightened on the trigger, but he caught himself in time.
The Lone Ranger Rides|Fran Striker
Wishes were spaniels; he had but a finger to raise, and they fawned at his feet.
The Pace That Kills|Edgar Saltus
All the seals were his, and corresponded exactly with that he wore on his finger as a ring.
A Noble Queen, Vol. 3 (of 3)|Philip Meadows Taylor

British Dictionary definitions for finger

finger

/ (ˈfɪŋɡə) /

noun

any of the digits of the hand, often excluding the thumbTechnical name: digitus manus
(as modifier)a finger bowl
(in combination)a fingernail Related adjective: digital

the part of a glove made to cover a finger

something that resembles a finger in shape or functiona finger of land

Also called: digit the length or width of a finger used as a unit of measurement

a quantity of liquid in a glass, etc, as deep as a finger is wide; tot

a projecting machine part, esp one serving as an indicator, guide, or guard

burn one's fingers to suffer from having meddled or been rash

get one's finger out or pull one's finger out British informal to begin or speed up activity, esp after initial delay or slackness

have a finger in the pie or have one's finger in the pie

to have an interest in or take part in some activity
to meddle or interfere

lay a finger on (usually negative) to harm

lay one's finger on or put one's finger on to indicate, identify, or locate accurately

let slip through one's fingers to allow to escape; miss narrowly

not lift a finger or not raise a finger (foll by an infinitive) not to make any effort (to do something)

point the finger at to accuse or blame

put the finger on informal

to inform on or identify, esp for the police
to choose (the victim or location of an intended crime)

twist around one's little finger or wrap around one's little finger to have easy and complete control or influence over

verb

(tr) to touch or manipulate with the fingers; handle

(tr) informal, mainly US to identify as a criminal or suspect

(intr) to extend like a finger

to use one's fingers in playing (an instrument, such as a piano or clarinet)

to indicate on (a composition or part) the fingering required by a pianist, harpsichordist, etc

(tr; usually passive) to arrange the keys of (a clarinet, flute, etc) for playing in a certain way

Derived Formsfingerer, nounfingerless, adjective

Word Origin for finger

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

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

Word Origin and History for finger (1 of 2)

finger

Old English fingor, from Proto-Germanic *fingraz (cf. Old Saxon fingar, Old Frisian finger, Old Norse fingr, Dutch vinger, German Finger, Gothic figgrs), with no cognates outside Germanic; perhaps connected with PIE *penkwe-, the root meaning "five."

As a unit of measure (Middle English) it represents the breadth of a finger, about three-quarters of an inch. They generally are numbered from the thumb, and named index finger, fool's finger, leech- or physic-finger, and ear-finger.

Word Origin and History for finger (1 of 2)

finger

early 15c., "to touch or point to with the finger" (but cf. fingering from late 14c.), from finger (n.). Sense of "play upon a musical instrument" is from 1510s. The meaning "identify a criminal" is underworld slang first recorded 1930. Related: Fingered; fingering.

Medicine definitions for finger

finger

[ fĭng′gər ]

n.

One of the five digits of the hand, especially one other than the thumb.

Idioms and Phrases with finger

finger

In addition to the idiom beginning with finger

finger in the pie, have a

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

finger

noun

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

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RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Idioms

Origin of finger

Examples from the Web for finger

British Dictionary definitions for finger

finger

noun

verb

Word Origin for finger

Word Origin and History for finger (1 of 2)

finger

Word Origin and History for finger (1 of 2)

finger

Medicine definitions for finger

finger

n.

Idioms and Phrases with finger

finger