fingering

American  

[fing-ger-ing] / ˈfɪŋ gər ɪŋ /

noun

1. the act of a person who fingers.

2. Music.

   1. the action or method of using the fingers in playing on an instrument.

   2. the indication of the way the fingers are to be used in performing a piece of music.

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fingering ¹ British  

/ ˈfɪŋɡərɪŋ /

noun

1. the technique or art of using one's fingers in playing a musical instrument, esp the piano

2. the numerals in a musical part indicating this

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fingering ² British  

/ ˈfɪŋɡərɪŋ /

noun

1. fine wool for knitting

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Etymology

Origin of fingering

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; finger, -ing ¹

Example Sentences

"I tend now to play parts of chords, rather than fingering the whole damn thing. I use these shortcuts that would be a nightmare for a guitar teacher."

From BBC • Nov. 21, 2023

For more than a decade, scientists have debated which animals alive today hail from that earliest sister, fingering two phyla as the most likely candidates: sponges and comb jellies.

From Science Magazine • May 17, 2023

She had a leopard scarf elegantly wrapped around her head and was fingering a glittering ring and staring blankly into the distance.

From Reuters • Feb. 7, 2023

He looked away, fingering a frayed edge of the carpet.

From Salon • Dec. 15, 2022

“What’s this?” she said, fingering the quilted coat.

From "Wringer" by Jerry Spinelli