1
: any of the five terminating members of the hand : a digit of the forelimb
especially
: one other than the thumb
2
a
: something that resembles a finger
a narrow finger of land
b
: a part of a glove into which a finger is inserted
c
: a projecting piece (such as a pawl for a ratchet) brought into contact with an object to affect its motion
3
: the breadth of a finger
5
: bird sense 10
—usually used with the
fingered; fingering
ˈfiŋ-g(ə-)riŋ 
1
: to touch or feel with the fingers
2
a
: to play (a musical instrument) with the fingers
b
: to play (notes, chords, etc.) with a specific fingering
c
: to mark the notes of (a music score) as a guide in playing
3
: to point out : identify
4
: to extend into or penetrate in the shape of a finger
1
: to touch or handle something
2
a
: to use the fingers in playing a musical instrument
b
: to have a certain fingering
—used of a musical instrument
3
: to extend in the shape or manner of a finger
Examples of finger in a Sentence
Noun
Don't stick your fingers in the cookie batter!
He slipped the ring onto her finger.
The baby held onto my thumb with her tiny fingers.
She ran her fingers through his hair.
He drummed his fingers on the table impatiently.
a finger of land extending into the sea
She was so mad, she gave him the finger.
Some angry driver flipped me the finger on the highway this morning.
Verb
He was fingered as a suspect.
thus far authorities haven't been able to finger the person who's been lighting fires around town
Recent Examples on the Web
Gary Phillips, Hartford Courant, 30 June 2025
In many cases, these organizations pointed fingers at external forces rather than examining their own adaptability and resilience.
—Pablo Listingart, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 28 May 2025
Garfield’s career quickly took a downturn when his name appeared in Red Channels, a pamphlet fingering Communists and their sympathizers in the entertainment industry.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 23 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for finger
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show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
Cruz wasn’t the Yankees’ only injury reveal on Monday, as Boone said that Austin Wells has been undergoing tests for a circulatory issue in one of his left fingers, per The Athletic’s Chris Kirschner.
—Gary Phillips, Hartford Courant, 30 June 2025
In many cases, these organizations pointed fingers at external forces rather than examining their own adaptability and resilience.
—Pablo Listingart, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
Verb
There’s a shot of Michele caressing her face, and another of Christopher fingering his wedding ring.
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 28 May 2025
Garfield’s career quickly took a downturn when his name appeared in Red Channels, a pamphlet fingering Communists and their sympathizers in the entertainment industry.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 23 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for finger
Video
When Body Parts Are Also Verbs
Head, shoulders, metaphors, and toes
Cite this Entry
“Finger.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/finger. Accessed 6 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
finger
1 of 2 noun
fin·ger
ˈfiŋ-gər
1
: one of the five divisions of the end of the hand
especially
: one other than the thumb
2
a
: something that resembles or does the work of a finger
b
: a part of a glove into which a finger is inserted
3
: the width of a finger
fingered
adjective
-gərd
Medical Definition
finger
noun
fin·ger
ˈfiŋ-gər
: any of the five terminating members of the hand : a digit of the forelimb
especially
: one other than the thumb
Legal Definition
finger
transitive verb
fin·ger
fingered; fingering
: to accuse or identify as guilty
was fingered simply because he fit the stereotype of a young, black street criminal—Jack Ewing
Jack EwingLove words? Need even more definitions?
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