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

The investigation later determined Green’s DNA was on Hylton’s clothing and under her fingernails. —Theresa Clift, Sacbee.com, 12 Mar. 2026

Take the new-gen florals decorating the fingernails of some of our favorite manicurists and influencers, for example. —Elle Turner, Glamour, 10 Mar. 2026

Prosecutors noted, though, that Wofford was wearing her coat when she was found and her fingernails showed no signs of a physical altercation. —Sam Charles, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2026

Lighter scratches only touch the surface while moderate to deep scratches can usually be felt by sticking your fingernail in the slit to determine how deep the scratch really is. —Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 7 Mar. 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