fingerling

noun

fin·​ger·​ling ˈfiŋ-gər-liŋ 

1

: a small fish especially up to one year of age

Striped bass were once found mainly on the East Coast. Around 1976, they were introduced into Elephant Butte Reservoir as 3-inch-long fingerlings.

—Buddy Mays

2

or fingerling potato : a small, narrow, elongated potato typically ranging in length from two to 5 inches (5 to 13 centimeters) when mature

With the beans and the tuna I like some potatoes, fingerlings that aren't too starchy.

—David Pasternack

Examples of fingerling in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The grayed jade leather dress and hat were designed by Ilona, with custom leather fingerling gloves by Zana Bayne. —Julia Teti, Footwear News, 30 Jan. 2026

Most of those should reach the fingerling stage and will then be stocked into other lakes across the state. —Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 29 Jan. 2026

The restaurant just went through a menu revamp, so the schnitzel now comes with fried fingerling potatoes, carrot puree and sautéed Brussels sprouts topped with an apple-bourbon pan sauce for $18. —Susan Stapleton, Des Moines Register, 15 Jan. 2026

Rather than a large Russet tomato, opt for smaller potatoes such as fingerlings, baby potatoes, or new potatoes. —Heather Riske, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1829, in the meaning defined at sense 1