fingernail

noun

fin·​ger·​nail ˈfiŋ-gər-ˌnāl 

ˌfiŋ-gər-ˈnāl

: the nail of a finger

Examples of fingernail in a Sentence

I trimmed and filed my fingernails.

He had dirt under his fingernails.

Recent Examples on the Web

There are subtle visible differences, like her hairline, nose and fingernails. — Maira Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026

Detectives found the kick-scooter in Navarrete’s garage, and a DNA analysis discovered traces of his DNA under his mother’s fingernails, according to the District Attorney’s Office. — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 19 Oct. 2026

The urban details would be faithfully rendered to the last golf ball or egg—each reduced to approximately the bulk of a hemoglobin molecule, or the distance grown by a human fingernail every five seconds. — Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026

Both sides are expected to dispute whether defense DNA experts can test the rest of a sample of genetic material found under the fingernails of Murdaugh’s wife. — ABC News, 16 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for fingernail

• abigail
• cottontail
• countervail
• martingale
• mesoscale
• microscale
• monorail
• nanoscale
• ponytail
• swallowtail
• wensleydale
• yellowtail

Kids Definition

fingernail

noun

fin·​ger·​nail ˈfiŋ-gər-ˌnāl 

ˌfiŋ-gər-ˈnā(ə)l

: the nail of a finger

Medical Definition

fingernail

noun

fin·​ger·​nail ˈfiŋ-gər-ˌnāl, ˌfiŋ-gər-ˈnā(ə)l 

: the nail of a finger