fingernail

noun

fin·​ger·​nail ˈfiŋ-gər-ˌnāl How to pronounce fingernail (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Around for nearly a century, the half-moon manicure—in which the lunula of the fingernail is emphasized either with a contrasting color or negative space—comes back into fashion every few years. Marci Robin, Allure, 25 June 2025 Middleweight Israel Adesanya paints his fingernails too, but explains that has more of an aesthetic motivation. Greg O'Keeffe, New York Times, 17 June 2025 Their flying accuracy needs to be within a mere millimeter, the thickness of a fingernail. Marcia Dunn, Los Angeles Times, 16 June 2025 For larger seedlings like beans, some gardeners just use their fingernails to pinch off the stems. Viveka Neveln, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for fingernail

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of fingernail was in the 13th century

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Cite this Entry

“Fingernail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fingernail. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

fingernail

noun
fin·​ger·​nail ˈfiŋ-gər-ˌnāl How to pronounce fingernail (audio)
ˌfiŋ-gər-ˈnā(ə)l
: the nail of a finger

Medical Definition

fingernail

noun
: the nail of a finger

More from Merriam-Webster on fingernail

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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