finger-nail
Definition
- Noun:
- Hard covering at the tip of a finger: A "fingernail" is the hard, flat, translucent covering that grows at the end of each finger, composed primarily of keratin.
- Protective and sensory structure: It serves to protect the sensitive fingertip and aids in fine motor tasks, such as picking up small objects.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- She carefully trimmed her fingernail with a clipper. (She cut the hard covering at the tip of her finger.)
- He broke his fingernail while trying to open a can. (The hard covering at his fingertip cracked due to force.)
- The artist painted a tiny flower on each fingernail. (She decorated the hard covering of each finger with nail polish.)
Advanced Usage
- "to the fingernails": An idiomatic phrase meaning completely, thoroughly, or to the smallest detail.
- He is a gentleman to the fingernails. (He is thoroughly and completely a gentleman, in every aspect.)
Variants and Related Words
- Fingernail (n): The standard spelling of the word.
- Fingernail polish (n): A cosmetic product used to color and protect fingernails.
- She applied a clear fingernail polish to strengthen her nails. (She used a protective coating on her fingernails.)
- Fingernail clipper (n): A tool designed specifically for cutting fingernails.
- He used a fingernail clipper to shorten his nails. (He used a specialized device to trim the hard covering.)
Synonyms
- Nail: A general term for the hard covering at the tips of fingers and toes.
- Keratin plate: A scientific term referring to the structure of the nail.
Related Idioms
- Bite one's fingernails: To chew on the hard covering of the fingertips, often due to nervousness or anxiety.
- She always bites her fingernails when she is stressed. (She chews on her fingernails as a nervous habit.)
- To the fingernails: See Advanced Usage above.
Phrasal Verbs
- No phrasal verbs directly associated with "fingernail." (The word is primarily a noun and does not form common phrasal verbs.)