finger

[ fing-ger ]

/ ˈfɪŋ gər /

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See synonyms for: finger / fingered / fingering / fingers 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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

Slang: Vulgar. to stimulate (the vagina or anus) for sexual gratification by penetration with one or more fingers.

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.

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Idioms about finger

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 (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: Someone gave me the finger for driving too slow.Also flip (someone) the bird .

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. 13).

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

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

OTHER WORDS FROM finger

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use finger in a sentence

We haven't had any real fan reaction yet, but our collective fingers are crossed.
‘Archer’ Creator Adam Reed Spills Season 6 Secrets, From Surreal Plotlines to Life Post-ISIS|Marlow Stern|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
But his fingers moved through her silky strands of hair, and then down her neck.
Powerful Congressman Writes About ‘Fleshy Breasts’|Asawin Suebsaeng|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
“The dress is just fishnet and crystals and a couple fingers crossed,” Selman told Style.com of the dress.
What, and Who, You'll Be Wearing in 2015|Justin Jones|December 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
With senility's fingers at his throat, it was clear that no more movies were going to be made.
Alfred Hitchcock’s Fade to Black: The Great Director’s Final Days|David Freeman|December 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Patrons eat their cannoli slowly and deliberately, dabbing the powdered sugar on their plates with licked fingers.
De Robertis, a New York Great, Bids Farewell|Lizzie Crocker|December 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Again the sallow fingers began to play with the book-covers, passing from one to another, but always slowly and gently.
Bella Donna|Robert Hichens
The fingers of all the clocks in the house were revolving with the most extraordinary rapidity--she was helpless.
Hilda Lessways|Arnold Bennett
Lamb with shaking fingers places the required amount in front of him.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3)|Charles James Wills
Now and then he touched one with his long and sallow fingers, lifted its cover, then let it drop mechanically.
Bella Donna|Robert Hichens
She was putting her papers tidy again with calm fingers, while his own were almost cramped with the energy of suppressed desire.
The Wave|Algernon Blackwood

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 forms of finger

fingerer, 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

Other 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

Idioms about finger

Origin of finger

OTHER WORDS FROM finger

Words related to finger

How to use finger in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for finger

Derived forms of finger

Word Origin for finger

Other Idioms and Phrases with finger