Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense fingers, present participle fingering, past tense, past participle fingered
1. countable noun
Your fingers are the four long thin parts at the end of each hand.
She suddenly held up a small, bony finger and pointed across the room.
She ran her fingers through her hair.
There was a ring on each of his fingers.
Synonyms: digit, thumb, forefinger, little finger More Synonyms of finger
2. See also light-fingered
3. countable noun [usually plural]
The fingers of a glove are the parts that a person's fingers fit into.
4. countable noun [noun NOUN]
A finger of something such as smoke or land is an amount of it that is shaped rather like a finger.
...a thin finger of land that separates Pakistan from the former Soviet Union. [+ of]
Cover the base with a single layer of sponge fingers.
5. See also fish finger
6. verb
If you finger something, you touch or feel it with your fingers.
He fingered the few coins in his pocket. [VERB noun]
Self-consciously she fingered the emeralds at her throat. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: touch, feel, handle, play with More Synonyms of finger
7. verb
If you finger a person or organization, you tell someone, usually the police, that the person or organization has done something illegal or wrong.
[informal]
Police and prosecutors manipulated the eyewitnesses so they would finger Aldo. [VERB noun]
Think of all those instances where CCTV could have fingered the suspects in no time. [VERB noun]
8. countable noun [usually NOUNof noun]
A finger of a strong alcoholic drink is an amount of it which, when it is in a glass, is the same size as the width of a person's finger.
I poured two final fingers of bourbon into my glass.
9.
See to get your fingers burned
10.
See to cross your fingers
11.
See to lay a finger on someone
12.
See to lift a finger
13.
See a finger in every pie
14.
See point the finger at/point an accusing finger at
15.
See to point the finger of suspicion
16.
See pull/get one's finger out
17.
See put one's finger on sth
18.
See to slip through your fingers
19. to have green fingers
20. finger on the pulse
More Synonyms of finger
finger in British English
(ˈfɪŋɡə)
noun
1.
a.
any of the digits of the hand, often excluding the thumb
Technical name: digitus manus
b.
(as modifier)
a finger bowl
c.
(in combination)
a fingernail
▶ Related adjective: digital
2.
the part of a glove made to cover a finger
3.
something that resembles a finger in shape or function
a finger of land
4. Also called: digit
the length or width of a finger used as a unit of measurement
5.
a quantity of liquid in a glass, etc, as deep as a finger is wide; tot
6.
a projecting machine part, esp one serving as an indicator, guide, or guard
7. burn one's fingers
8. get one's finger out
9. have a finger in the pie
10. lay a finger on
11. lay one's finger on
12. let slip through one's fingers
13. not lift a finger
14. point the finger at
15. put the finger on
16. twist around one's little finger
verb
17. (transitive)
to touch or manipulate with the fingers; handle
18. (transitive) informal, mainly US
to identify as a criminal or suspect
19. (intransitive)
to extend like a finger
20.
to use one's fingers in playing (an instrument, such as a piano or clarinet)
21.
to indicate on (a composition or part) the fingering required by a pianist, harpsichordist, etc
22. (tr; usually passive)
to arrange the keys of (a clarinet, flute, etc) for playing in a certain way
Derived forms
fingerer (ˈfingerer)
noun
fingerless (ˈfingerless)
adjective
Word origin
Old English; related to Old Norse fingr, Gothic figgrs, Old High German fingar; see five, fist
finger in American English
(ˈfɪŋɡər)
noun
1.
any of the terminal members of the hand, esp. one other than the thumb
2.
a part of a glove made to receive a finger
3.
the breadth of a finger as a unit of measurement; digit
4.
the length of a finger: approximately 41⁄2 in. (11 cm)
5. slang
an informer or spy
6.
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
7.
any of various projecting parts of machines
8. See burn one's fingers
9. See give (someone) the finger
10. See have a finger in the pie
11. See keep one's fingers crossed
12. See lay one's finger on
13. See not lift a finger
14. See put the finger on
15. See slip through one's fingers
16. See snap one's fingers (at)
17. See twist around one's little finger
transitive verb
18.
to touch with the fingers; toy or meddle with; handle
19.
to touch with the fingers so as to mar or spoil
Please don't finger the vegetables
20.
to pilfer; filch
21. Music
a.
to play on (an instrument) with the fingers
b.
to perform or mark (a passage of music) with a certain fingering
22. slang
a.
to inform against or identify (a criminal) to the authorities
He fingered the man who robbed the bank
b.
to designate as a victim, as of murder or other crime
intransitive verb
23.
to touch or handle something with the fingers
24.
to extend in or as in the shape of a finger
Landing piers finger out into the river along the city's shoreline
Derived forms
fingerer
noun
fingerless
adjective
Word origin
[bef. 900; ME, OE; c. G Finger, D vinger, ON fingr, Goth figgrs]
finger in Mechanical Engineering
(fɪŋgər)
Word forms: (regular plural) fingers
noun
(Mechanical engineering: Machinery and components)
A finger is a long thin part that sticks out from a machine, especially a part that guides or protects a workpiece.
Where you place the first guide finger will affect the width of your workpiece.
The locating device has a projecting finger that contacts the workpiece and is used for positioning the work-table in relationto the grinding wheel.
A finger is a long thin part that sticks out from a machine, especially a part that guidesor protects a workpiece.
More idioms containing
finger
twist someone around your little finger
put your finger on something
put the finger on someone
pull your finger out
point the finger at someone
not lift a finger
not lay a finger on someone
have your finger on the pulse
have a finger in every pie
Examples of 'finger' in a sentence
finger
You have to point fingers but there has to be a mix between the two of them.
The Sun (2016)
You can check if the granules are working by pressing one between finger and thumb.
The Sun (2016)
Natural ivory also possesses other qualities that are harder to put your finger on.
Smithsonian Mag (2017)
Why is her little finger numb?
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Once cool, release and tease hair with your fingers.
The Sun (2016)
Hard to put your finger on, but realistically unreal.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
I was the only one they could point the finger at.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
You wondered if it was to hold up four fingers to his manager.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Watch whether the thumb or little finger gives way first.
Andrews, Elizabeth Muscle Management (1991)
The finger has been pointed in many different directions to improve.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
You have all had your fingers in the pie.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
You should not be pointing the finger at one person.
The Sun (2014)
What will happen when a man runs his fingers though my hair?
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
He reached out his hand to touch her fingers.
Zindell, David The Broken God (1993)
She had to draw her wet fingers down the part in her hair.
Bachmann, Susan (editor) & Barth, Melinda Between Worlds: A Reader, Rhetoric and Handbook (1995)
Her wedding ring would stop slipping off her thinned finger.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
She put a finger to her lips.
Paige, Frances The Glasgow Girls (1994)
Dead branches emerge like bony fingers from the thick canopy of leaves.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
What a furious final finger to the world.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
You have put your finger on something that is not far short of a scandal.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Work with four fingers on the pads of the small toes simultaneously.
Turner, Roger Newman The Hayfever Handbook - a summer survival guide (1988)
She has me wrapped around her little finger.
The Sun (2010)
Pointing the finger of blame may be unfair and will just make us more stressed.
The Sun (2009)
This banker turned entrepreneur has her fingers in many pies.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
He told her to shut up and pushed two gloved fingers down her throat.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
You can probably count them on one finger.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
She sighed and ran her fingers through her hair.
Zindell, David The Broken God (1993)
We touched fingers with each other.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Through a gap in the curtains, a finger of light extended slowly across their quilt.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The angel's right index finger is extended.
The Times Literary Supplement (2011)
A narrow gap between the island and a curling finger of land from the mainland provides the only access to the open sea.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
In other languages
finger
British English: finger /ˈfɪŋɡə/ NOUN
Your fingers are the four long moveable parts at the end of your hands.
There was a ring on each of his fingers.
American English: finger
Arabic: إِصْبَع
Brazilian Portuguese: dedo
Chinese: 手指
Croatian: prst
Czech: prst
Danish: finger
Dutch: vinger
European Spanish: dedo
Finnish: sormi
French: doigt
German: Finger
Greek: δάχτυλο
Italian: dito
Japanese: 手の指
Korean: 손가락
Norwegian: finger
Polish: palec
European Portuguese: dedo
Romanian: deget de la mână
Russian: палец
Latin American Spanish: dedo
Swedish: finger
Thai: นิ้วมือ
Turkish: parmak
Ukrainian: палець
Vietnamese: ngón tay
British English: finger VERB
If you finger something, you touch or feel it with your fingers.
He fingered the few coins in his pocket.
American English: finger
Brazilian Portuguese: manusear
Chinese: 用手指触摸
European Spanish: manosear
French: palper
German: befühlen
Italian: tastare
Japanese: 指を触れる
Korean: 만지다
European Portuguese: manusear
Latin American Spanish: manosear
All related terms of 'finger'
fat-finger
to make a mistake by pressing the wrong key on a keyboard or number pad
finger bowl
a small bowl to hold water for rinsing the fingers at table after a meal
finger-dry
to dry hair by lifting it and running it between the fingers from roots to ends
finger food
food that may be picked up with the fingers , such as canapés or vol-au-vents
finger hole
one of a set of holes for the finger on the rotating dial of a telephone
finger mark
a mark, esp. a smudge or stain , made by a finger
finger post
a post with a sign , often shaped like a pointing finger or hand , indicating a direction
finger wave
a wave set in wet hair by using fingers and comb only
fish finger
Fish fingers are small long pieces of fish covered in breadcrumbs. They are usually sold in frozen form.
five-finger
any of various plants having five-petalled flowers or five lobed leaves, such as cinquefoil and Virginia creeper
long finger
→ put something on the long finger
ring finger
Your ring finger is the third finger of your left or right hand, without counting your thumb . In some countries , people wear a ring on this finger to show that they are engaged or married .
finger buffet
a buffet meal at which food that may be picked up with the fingers ( finger food ), such as canapés or vol-au-vents , is served
finger grass
any of various grasses of the genus Chloris , having several narrow spikes in a terminal cluster
Finger Lakes
group of long, narrow glacial lakes in WC N. Y .
finger paint
paint made from starch , glycerine , and pigments and applied with the fingers , hand , or arm
finger puppet
a miniature puppet fitting over and manipulated by one finger
finger tight
made as tight as possible by hand
first finger
the finger next to the thumb ; index finger
fourth finger
the third finger , esp of the left hand, on which a wedding ring is traditionally worn
index finger
Your index finger is the finger that is next to your thumb.
lady's finger
→ same as ladies' fingers
little finger
Your little finger is the smallest finger on your hand.
middle finger
the finger on the hand which is usually the longest and is between the index finger and the ring finger
sponge finger
a ladyfinger
third finger
the finger next to the little finger; ring finger
white finger
a condition of a finger that results in a white appearance caused by a spasm of the blood vessels. It occurs with Raynaud's disease and with the long-term use of percussion tools
finger alphabet
a series of shapes made by the fingers that indicate letters of an alphabet and can be used in finger spelling for deaf people
finger painting
the process or art of painting with finger paints of starch , glycerine , and pigments , using the fingers, hand , or arm
finger-pointing
the act of assigning blame as for a harmful policy or unwise decision to another or others, often in an effort to deflect blame from oneself
finger spelling
a method of communicating with or among deaf people in which different shapes made with the fingers represent different letters of the alphabet
finger trouble
trouble caused by operator error , such as striking the wrong key
trigger finger
the finger a shooter or gunman uses to pull the trigger
finger exercises
exercises that are intended to increase the flexibility and dexterity of a player's fingers
lay a finger on
to harm
six-finger country
an isolated area considered as being inhabited by people who practise inbreeding
fingertip
Your fingertips are the ends of your fingers.
not lift a finger
to not do something or not help someone at all
put the finger on
to inform on or identify , esp for the police
split-finger fastball
a type of fastball that sinks abruptly as it nears home plate, thrown with the grip used for a forkball
fingernail
Your fingernails are the thin hard areas at the end of each of your fingers.
finger on the pulse
If you have your finger on the pulse of something, you know all the latest opinions or developments concerning it.
get one's finger out
to begin or speed up activity, esp after initial delay or slackness
lay one's finger on
to indicate, identify , or locate accurately
point the finger at
to accuse or blame
pull your finger out
to start working harder or to start dealing with something
vibration white finger
a condition affecting workers using vibrating machinery , which causes damage to the blood vessels and nerves of the fingers and leads to a permanent loss of feeling
a finger in every pie
If you say that someone has a finger in every pie , you mean they are involved in a lot of things.
give (someone) the finger
to express contempt for by or as by the obscene gesture of pointing the middle finger upward while folding the other fingers against the palm
put one's finger on sth
If you put your finger on something, for example a reason or problem , you see and identify exactly what it is.
Chinese translation of 'finger'
finger
(ˈfɪŋɡəʳ)
n(c)
(Anat) 手指 (shǒuzhǐ) (根, gēn)
vt
(= touch) 触(觸)摸 (chùmō)
to keep one's fingers crossed (fig) 祈愿(願)好运(運) (qǐyuàn hǎoyùn)
to cross one's fingers食指与(與)中指交叉重叠(疊) (shízhǐ yǔ zhōngzhǐ jiāochā chóngdié)
to point the finger at sb (fig) 指责(責)某人 (zhǐzé mǒurén)
to put one's finger on sth (fig) 对(對)某事有充分把握 (duì mǒushì yǒu chōngfèn bǎwò)
All related terms of 'finger'
index finger
食指 shízhǐ [ 只 zhī ]
little finger
小指 xiǎozhǐ [ 根 gēn ]
to cut one's finger/hair
割破手指/剪头(頭)发(髮) gēpò shǒuzhǐ/jiǎn tóufa
to point the finger at sb
( fig ) 指责(責)某人 zhǐzé mǒurén
to put one's finger on sth
( fig ) 对(對)某事有充分把握 duì mǒushì yǒu chōngfèn bǎwò
to jab one's finger/stick at sb
用手指/棍子戳某人 yòng shǒuzhǐ/gùnzi chuō mǒurén
to have one's finger on the pulse (of sth)
了解(某物)最新动(動)态(態) liǎojiě (mǒuwù) zuì xīn dòngtài
to trap one's finger in the door
某人的手指被门(門)缝(縫)夹(夾)了一下 mǒurén de shǒuzhǐ bèi ménfèng jiāle yīxià
1 (noun)
Definition
one of the four long jointed parts of the hand
She ran her fingers through her hair.
Synonyms
digit
Many animals have five digits.
thumb
She bit her thumb, not looking at me.
forefinger
little finger
index finger
middle finger
ring finger
third finger
first finger
second finger
fourth finger
2 (noun)
Definition
something that resembles a finger in shape or function
a thin finger of land
Synonyms
strip
Serve with strips of fresh raw vegetables.
piece
The equipment was taken down the shaft in pieces.
band
bands of natural vegetation between strips of crops
sliver
bit
crumpled bits of paper
1 (verb)
Definition
to touch or manipulate with the fingers
He fingered the few coins in his pocket.
Synonyms
touch
Her hand gently touched my face.
feel
The doctor felt his head.
handle
Be careful when handling young animals.
play with
manipulate
paw (informal)
maul
toy with
fiddle with (informal)
meddle with
play about with
2 (verb)
Definition
to identify as a criminal or suspect
They fingered him to the police.
Synonyms
inform on
shop (slang, mainly British)
Fraudsters are often shopped by honest friends and neighbours.
grass (British, slang)
The other inmates accused him of grassing.
I'd never grass on a mate.
rat (informal)
betray
He might be seen as having betrayed his mother.
notify
peach (slang)
tip off
squeal (slang)
There was no question of squealing to the police.
leak to
incriminate
tell on (informal)
blow the whistle on (informal)
snitch (slang)
blab
nark (British, Australian, New Zealand, slang)
inculpate
dob in (Australian, slang)
idiom
See put your finger on something
related words
related adjectivedigital
figurative note
The fingers are any of the digits of the hand, excluding the thumb. Their shape and function are referred to in many of the extended meanings of finger. The long and thin shape of a finger has come to mean a strip or sliver, in a finger of land and finger sandwich. Our sense of touch is experienced through the fingers, which are employed to manipulate objects. As a verb, finger can simply mean to touch, often in a restless way, e.g. He fingered the coins in his pocket. Fingers are also used for pointing, selection, and identification, particularly as a means of assigning blame, in the phrase point the finger at or finger someone to the police. We pin physical objects down with our fingers, but can also pin down thoughts and memories in our minds, e.g. I couldn't put my finger on it.
Additional synonyms
in the sense of band
bands of natural vegetation between strips of crops
Synonyms
strip,
belt
in the sense of betray
Definition
to hand over or expose (one's nation, friend, etc.) treacherously to an enemy
He might be seen as having betrayed his mother.
Synonyms
be disloyal to,
break with,
grass on (British, slang),
dob in (Australian, slang),
double-cross (informal),
stab in the back,
be unfaithful to,
sell down the river (informal),
grass up (slang),
shop (slang, British),
put the finger on (informal),
inform on or against,
sell out (informal),
be treacherous to
in the sense of bit
Definition
a small piece, portion, or quantity
crumpled bits of paper
Synonyms
piece,
scrap,
small piece
Synonyms of 'finger'
finger
Explore 'finger' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of feel
Definition
to become aware of or examine by touching
The doctor felt his head.
Synonyms
touch,
handle,
manipulate,
run your hands over,
finger,
stroke,
paw,
maul,
caress,
fondle
in the sense of grass
Definition
to inform on (someone) to the police or some other authority
The other inmates accused him of grassing.I'd never grass on a mate.
Synonyms
inform on,
shop (slang, British),
betray,
denounce,
snitch (slang),
sing (slang, US),
give away,
rat on (informal),
sell (someone) down the river (informal),
dob in (Australian, slang)
in the sense of handle
Definition
to hold, move, operate, or touch with the hands
Be careful when handling young animals.
Synonyms
hold,
feel,
touch,
pick up,
finger,
grasp,
poke,
paw (informal),
maul,
fondle
in the sense of piece
Definition
a separate bit or part
The equipment was taken down the shaft in pieces.
Synonyms
component,
part,
section,
bit,
unit,
segment,
constituent,
module
in the sense of shop
Definition
to inform on (someone), esp. to the police
Fraudsters are often shopped by honest friends and neighbours.
Synonyms
betray,
grass on (British, slang),
inform on or against,
sell out (informal),
double-cross (informal),
stab in the back,
sell down the river (informal),
grass up (slang),
put the finger on (informal),
dob in (Australian, slang)
in the sense of squeal
Definition
to inform on someone to the police
There was no question of squealing to the police.
Synonyms
inform on,
grass (British, slang),
betray,
shop (slang, British),
sing (slang, US),
peach (slang),
tell all,
spill the beans (informal),
snitch (slang),
blab,
rat on (informal),
sell (someone) down the river (informal),
blow the gaff (British, slang),
spill your guts (slang),
dob in (Australian, slang)
in the sense of thumb
Definition
the short thick finger of the hand set apart from the others