Synonyms

forefinger

American

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

noun

the first finger next to the thumb.

forefinger British

/ ˈfɔːˌfɪŋɡə /

noun

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

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

Zeugma from Top AP English Exam Novels

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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.

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

Young male gamers had taken issue with a single frame in the trailer, in which the female character could be seen holding her thumb and forefinger close together.

From BBC • Jan. 11, 2025

The procedure, called umbilical cord milking, involves gently squeezing the cord between the thumb and forefinger and pushing the blood into the newborn's abdomen.

From Science Daily • Nov. 9, 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

He rubbed the sleeve of Webb’s prehistoric shirt between his thumb and forefinger.

From "Crash" by Jerry Spinelli

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023