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

Fon lep, or the fingernail dance, is an ancient dance from northern Thailand in which performers wear metal fingernail extensions on eight fingers while moving slowly and fluidly. — Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 27 Oct. 2026

In one photo, Brooke pointed out blood on McDaniel's shirt and missing fingernails. — Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2026

Bobby developed a painful rash that could break open and bleed, along with significant inflammation and bleeding around his fingernails. — Stat Staff, STAT, 23 Oct. 2026

The corpse’s fingernails were bloody and the inside of the coffin was shredded from Mary’s trying to scratch her way out. — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 22 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