finger

/'fiɳgə/
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finger

A child points a finger at a colorful butterfly on a flower.

Definition
  1. Noun:

    • One of the slender, jointed parts at the end of the human hand (often excluding the thumb): A finger is a digit of the hand, used for touching, grasping, and manipulating objects.
    • A part of a glove covering a finger: The finger of a glove is the section designed to enclose a human finger.
    • A linear measurement based on a finger's width: Historically, a unit of length approximately equal to the breadth of a finger.
  2. Verb:

    • To touch or handle with the fingers: To use one's fingers to feel, examine, or manipulate something.
    • To identify or indicate, especially musically: To mark a musical score with numbers or symbols to show which fingers should be used to play specific notes.
    • To search for information on a computer: To use a computer to look up or investigate something, often in a probing manner.
Examples
  • Noun:

    • She wore a ring on her index finger.
    • There was a hole in the finger of his leather glove.
    • The ancient text described a distance of three fingers.
  • Verb:

    • Please do not finger the merchandise in the store.
    • The composer fingered the difficult passage for the pianist.
    • He fingered the company database to check employee login times.
Advanced Usage
  • "to have a finger in every pie": To be involved in many different activities or businesses.

    • She seems to have a finger in every pie in the local community.
  • "to point the finger at someone": To accuse or blame someone.

    • The report pointed the finger at management for the safety failures.
  • "to slip through one's fingers": To fail to seize or keep an opportunity.

    • The championship title slipped through their fingers in the final minutes.
Variants and Related Words
  • Fingering (n): The technique or method of using the fingers, especially when playing a musical instrument.

    • The violin piece requires complex fingering.
  • Fingertip (n): The very end of a finger.

    • He had the information at his fingertips.
  • Fingerlike (adj): Resembling a finger in shape.

    • Fingerlike projections of coral extended into the current.
Synonyms
  • Digit (n): A finger or toe.
  • Feel (v): To examine or perceive by touch.
  • Handle (v): To touch or hold with the hands.
Related Phrasal Verbs
  • Finger through: To search or look through something quickly using the fingers.

    • She fingered through the stack of old photographs.
  • Finger out (informal): To identify or single out.

    • It was easy to finger out the main cause of the problem.
Related Idioms
  • "All fingers and thumbs": To be clumsy or awkward with one's hands.

    • I'm all fingers and thumbs this morning; I've already dropped my coffee.
  • "Lift a finger": To make the slightest effort to help.

    • He didn't lift a finger to clean the house.
  • "Put one's finger on something": To identify or recall something precisely.

    • I can't quite put my finger on what's different about her new haircut.
finger

A child points a finger at a colorful butterfly on a flower.

Noun
  1. one of the parts of a glove that provides covering for a finger or thumb
  2. the length of breadth of a finger used as a linear measure
  3. any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb)
    • her fingers were long and thin
Verb
  1. indicate the fingering for the playing of musical scores for keyboard instruments
  2. search for on the computer
    • I fingered my boss and found that he is not logged on in the afternoons
  3. examine by touch
    • Feel this soft cloth!
    • The customer fingered the sweater
  4. feel or handle with the fingers
    • finger the binding of the book