ring finger

American  

noun

ring fingers plural

1. the finger next to the little finger, especially of the left hand, on which an engagement ring or wedding band is traditionally worn.

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ring finger British  

noun

1. the third finger, esp of the left hand, on which a wedding ring is traditionally worn

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• ring fingers
  plural

Etymology

Origin of ring finger

before 1000; Middle English, Old English

Example Sentences

Zendaya, who coyly confirmed her engagement to The Times at the 2025 Golden Globes, was spotted earlier this year wearing a plain gold band on her left ring finger in place of her engagement diamond.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 16, 2026

When prenatal estrogen levels are higher relative to testosterone, the index finger tends to be longer than the ring finger.

From Science Daily • Feb. 10, 2026

Ironically, considering her profession, she is missing her left ring finger, a loss that is noted several times but cannily goes unexplained.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 31, 2025

"I remember just seeing his little hand; his pinkie ring finger and middle finger," she says.

From BBC • Mar. 3, 2025

I wished on a butterfly that landed on me, on a camel-shaped cloud, on a cricket in the house, and a lightning bug glowing on my ring finger.

From "Wish" by Barbara O'Connor