fingerprint

noun

fin·​ger·​print ˈfiŋ-gər-ˌprint 

1

: the impression of a fingertip on any surface

also : an ink impression of the lines upon the fingertip taken for the purpose of identification

2

: something that identifies: such as

a

: a trait, trace, or characteristic revealing origin or responsibility

b

: analytical evidence (such as a spectrogram) that characterizes an object or substance

especially : the chromatogram or electrophoretogram obtained by cleaving a protein by enzymatic action and subjecting the resulting collection of peptides to two-dimensional chromatography or electrophoresis

c

: the base-pair pattern in an individual's DNA obtained by DNA fingerprinting

fingerprint transitive verb

Illustration of fingerprint

• 1 arch
• 2 loop
• 3 whorl
• 4 composite

Synonyms

• affection
• attribute
• attribution
• character
• characteristic
• criterion
• diagnostic
• differentia
• feature
• hallmark
• mark
• marker
• note
• particularity
• peculiarity
• point
• property
• quality
• specific
• stamp
• touch
• trait

Examples of fingerprint in a Sentence

Detectives found his fingerprints all over the gun.

Everyone has a unique fingerprint.

Recent Examples on the Web

So like, two of my favorite shows of all time, having the fingerprint of this man, and then being invited into his feature directorial debut is so dreamy. —H. Alan Scott, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 May 2025

This move toward personalized medicine means treatments can be increasingly tailored to the unique fingerprint of a patient’s cancer. —Jason P. Joseph, The Conversation, 21 May 2025

Flask samples still deduce sources’ CO2 fingerprints. —Ashley Braun, Smithsonian Magazine, 19 May 2025

Other evidence — including the shoeprint casings, bedroom sheets and all latent fingerprints — were no longer available, either lost or destroyed, MacLean’s former attorneys wrote in one court motion. —Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 18 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1737, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for fingerprint

• overprint
• peppermint
• blueprint
• footprint
• imprint
• misprint
• newsprint
• nonprint
• preprint
• reprint
• clint
• dint

Kids Definition

fingerprint

noun

fin·​ger·​print ˈfiŋ-gər-ˌprint 

: the pattern of marks made by pressing the tip of a finger on a surface

especially : a pattern of marks in ink of the lines on the tip of a finger taken for the purpose of identification

fingerprint verb

fingerprinting

-ˌprin-tiŋ

noun

Medical Definition

fingerprint

1 of 2 noun

fin·​ger·​print -ˌprint 

1

: the impression of a fingertip on any surface

especially : an ink impression of the lines on the fingertip taken for purpose of identification

2

: analytical evidence (as a spectrogram) that characterizes an object or substance

especially : the chromatogram or electrophoretogram obtained by cleaving a protein by enzymatic action and subjecting the resulting collection of peptides to two-dimensional chromatography or electrophoresis compare dna fingerprinting

fingerprint

2 of 2 transitive verb

: to analyze (as spectrographically or chromatographically) in order to determine uniquely the identifying characteristics, origin, or constitution of

each protein was fingerprinted

fingerprinting noun

Legal Definition

fingerprint

noun

fin·​ger·​print

: the impression of a fingertip on any surface

also : an ink impression of the lines upon the fingertip taken for the purpose of identification (as during the booking procedure following an arrest) see also dna fingerprinting

fingerprint transitive verb

fingerprinting noun