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

Deeper scoops along the edges create a wider gap between the two halves, giving you more leverage to open the phone without resorting to your fingernails or fumbling for a grip. — Kimberly Gedeon, PC Magazine, 29 July 2026

They’re wrapped around thumbnails, crawling up ring fingernails, and shining with 3D dewdrops. — Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 27 July 2026

Lightly run a fingernail across the surface to check for snagging. — Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 21 July 2026

If Buenos Aires is the canvas, San Telmo is the paint with a little dirt under the fingernails. — Rafael Peña, Miami Herald, 15 July 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