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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:

Mustaine says, rubbing a forefinger over his black knit cap that hides his leonine locks.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 20, 2026

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

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

I don't know how to put this other than to form a rhetorical circle with my thumb and forefinger signaling a big fat goose egg.

From Salon ● Sep. 16, 2023

He crossed his legs and pinched the bridge of his nose between thumb and forefinger.

From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt

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

“It’s not just some words on wall,” Traylor said of the motto signified by a hand gesture that creates a triangle with the two thumbs and forefingers.

From Seattle Times ● Dec. 2, 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

Belet put a fist on either side of her head, her forefingers up to look like horns.

From "City of the Plague God" by Sarwat Chadda

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