finger-tip
Definition
- Noun:
- The extreme end of a finger: "finger-tip" refers to the very end of a finger, including the pad and the tip of the nail, typically the most sensitive part used for touch.
Usage Examples
- (The extreme end of her finger made contact.)
- (The coin was balanced on the very end of his finger.)
- (The ends of the fingers were checked for loss of sensation.)
Advanced Usage
"at one's finger-tips": immediately available or easily accessible; also, to have complete knowledge of something.
- She has all the relevant data at her finger-tips. (She can access the information quickly and easily.)
"to the finger-tips": thoroughly or completely, often used to describe a person's character.
- He is a gentleman to his finger-tips. (He is completely and thoroughly a gentleman in every way.)
"finger-tip control": precise manual control, especially in machinery or devices.
- The new car has finger-tip control for the entertainment system. (The system can be operated with very slight movements of the fingers.)
Variants and Related Words
Fingertip (n): a common alternative spelling without a hyphen; same meaning as "finger-tip".
- She used her fingertip to press the button. (The end of her finger.)
Finger-tip search (n): a very thorough search, as if examining every fingertip of an area.
- The police conducted a finger-tip search of the crime scene. (They searched every small part of the area meticulously.)
Synonyms
- Digit tip: the end of a finger or toe (more formal or anatomical).
- Pad: the fleshy part of the finger-tip.
Related Idioms
Have something at one's finger-tips: to know or have something ready and available.
- He has the entire dictionary at his finger-tips. (He can recall or access it instantly.)
To one's finger-tips: completely, in every aspect.
- She is an artist to her finger-tips. (She is thoroughly and naturally artistic.)