finger food

noun

plural finger foods
: a food that is meant to be picked up with the fingers and eaten
Finger foods like apple wedges and strawberries dipped in yogurt make an excellent snack for both parent and child.The Knoxville (Tennessee) News-Sentinel
Mashed potatoes are not a finger food.Erma Bombeck

Examples of finger food in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
That means restaurant deals on one of America’s favorite finger foods. Cheryl V. Jackson, IndyStar, 30 July 2025 That means restaurant deals in Louisville on one of America’s favorite finger foods. Cheryl V. Jackson, The Courier-Journal, 30 July 2025 One upside for restaurants, Maze noted, is that chicken makes for ideal finger food, which operators are encouraging by rolling out new dipping sauces. Emily Lorsch, NBC news, 6 May 2025 Stick to loose-leaf teas, light finger foods, like scones and sandwiches, and charming tableware. Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for finger food

Word History

First Known Use

1893, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of finger food was in 1893

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Cite this Entry

“Finger food.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/finger%20food. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

finger food

noun
: a food (as a carrot stick) that is meant to be picked up with the fingers and eaten

More from Merriam-Webster on finger food

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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