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.
Idioms for 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 by or as by the obscene gesture of pointing the middle finger upward while folding the other fingers against the palm.
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
With one finger, double-tap and hold on the screen, then move your finger up or down to zoom in or out.
Get around your phone more quickly than you already are|David Nield|September 16, 2020|Popular Science
The Surface Duo is compatible with Microsoft’s line of Surface styluses, useful for writing notes, highlighting and editing text, and generally using in place of your fingers to scroll around.
Review of the Microsoft Surface Duo folding phone: Very pretty but just how useful is it?|Aaron Pressman|September 10, 2020|Fortune
Plus, it might be the first time the customer can put their finger on how much their branding drives their income, a question they have probably struggled with for a long time.
SEO proposals: Particular challenges and how to avoid getting a silent no|SEOmonitor|September 10, 2020|Search Engine Watch
He slipped through the cracks, slipped through our fingers, many, many times.
“People want to believe”: How Love Fraud builds an absorbing docuseries around a romantic con man|Alissa Wilkinson|September 4, 2020|Vox
This cutter is designed with an ergonomic handle to keep you in control and your fingers out of the way.
Pizza cutters that will get you the slice of your dreams|PopSci Commerce Team|September 2, 2020|Popular Science
A whole population of 11 million with every iron in the fire doubling as a finger in a dike.
The Life and Hard Times Of The Family A Cuban Defector Left Behind|Brin-Jonathan Butler|December 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Orwell put his finger on the core problem years before he wrote 1984.
Digital Doublethink: Playing Truth or Dare with Putin, Assad and ISIS|Christopher Dickey, Anna Nemtsova|November 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
My finger burned when it touched the blossom of lead embedded in the ceramic armor.
I Shot Bin Laden|Elliot Ackerman|November 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Her abusive husband tormented their toddler to drive Walters crazy without lifting a finger—and it tragically worked.
The Worst Question for Abuse Victims|Emily Shire|October 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I saw a woman collapse on the street and no one, including me, raised a finger to help.
In Sierra Leone, the Plague Is Closing in Around Us|Ned Eustace|October 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Sure of the result, he pressed with his finger tips upon the lower end of that short piece of board.
Murder at Bridge|Anne Austin
But it was too late: the finger had pulled the trigger and the ball sped true.
To Leeward|F. Marion Crawford
His finger tightened on the trigger, but he caught himself in time.
The Lone Ranger Rides|Fran Striker
Wishes were spaniels; he had but a finger to raise, and they fawned at his feet.
The Pace That Kills|Edgar Saltus
All the seals were his, and corresponded exactly with that he wore on his finger as a ring.
A Noble Queen, Vol. 3 (of 3)|Philip Meadows Taylor
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: digitthe 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 fingersto suffer from having meddled or been rash
get one's finger outorpull one's finger outBritishinformalto begin or speed up activity, esp after initial delay or slackness
have a finger in the pieorhave one's finger in the pie
to have an interest in or take part in some activity