Finger (noun) Definition, Meaning & Examples

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noun
  1. any of the terminal members of the hand, especially one other than the thumb.
  2. a part of a glove made to receive a finger.
  3. a projection at the tip of an elephant’s trunk that facilitates dexterity essential for grasping: If there are two fingers, it must be an African elephant, as the Asian elephant has only one.
  4. the breadth of a finger as a unit of measurement; digit.
  5. the length of a finger: approximately 4½ inches (11 centimeters).
  6. an informer or spy.
  7. something like a finger in form or use, as a projection or pointer: a finger of land leading out into the bay;the finger on the speedometer.
  8. any of various projecting parts of machines.
verb (used with object)
  1. to touch with the fingers; toy or meddle with; handle: I couldn't refrain from fingering the beautiful silk scarves.
  2. to touch with the fingers so as to mar or spoil: Please don't finger the vegetables.
  3. to pilfer; filch.
  4. Music.
    • to play on (an instrument) with the fingers.
    • to perform or mark (a passage of music) with a certain fingering.
  5. Slang.
    • to inform against or identify (a criminal) to the authorities: He fingered the man who robbed the bank.
    • to designate as a victim, as of murder or other crime.
  6. to stimulate (the vagina or anus) for sexual gratification by penetration with one or more fingers.
verb (used without object)
  1. to touch or handle something with the fingers.
  2. to extend in or as in the shape of a finger: Landing piers finger out into the river along the city's shoreline.
Idioms
  1. to suffer injury or loss by meddling or by acting rashly: If you get involved in the controversy, you may burn your fingers.
  2. to express contempt for (someone) by or as if by making the obscene gesture of pointing the middle finger upward while folding the other fingers against the palm and turning the back of the hand outward: Someone gave me the finger for driving too slow.
  3. have a finger in the pie,
    • to have an interest or share in something.
    • to meddle in something.
  4. to wish for good luck or success, as in a specific endeavor: Keep your fingers crossed that I get the job.
  5. lay / put one's finger on,
    • to indicate exactly; remember: I know the name, but I can't put my finger on it.
    • to discover; locate: I haven't been able to lay my finger on the book you requested.
  6. to make not even a small attempt; do nothing: The house was falling into ruin, but he wouldn't lift a finger to repair it.
  7. finger (def. 13).
  8. slip through one's fingers,
    • to elude one, as an opportunity not taken; escape: She let the chance of a lifetime slip through her fingers.
    • to pass or be consumed quickly: Money just slips through his fingers.
  9. to exhibit disdain or contempt (for): She snaps her fingers at the local gossip.
  10. to exert one's influence easily or successfully upon: He has a remarkable talent for twisting people around his little finger.
noun
    • any of the digits of the hand, often excluding the thumb
    • (as modifier)
    • (in combination)
  2. the part of a glove made to cover a finger
  3. something that resembles a finger in shape or function
  4. the length or width of a finger used as a unit of measurement
  5. a quantity of liquid in a glass, etc, as deep as a finger is wide; tot
  6. a projecting machine part, esp one serving as an indicator, guide, or guard
  7. to suffer from having meddled or been rash
  8. to begin or speed up activity, esp after initial delay or slackness
  9. have a finger in the pie or have one's finger in the pie
    • to have an interest in or take part in some activity
    • to meddle or interfere
  10. to harm
  11. to indicate, identify, or locate accurately
  12. to allow to escape; miss narrowly
  13. not to make any effort (to do something)
  14. to accuse or blame
  15. put the finger on informal
    • to inform on or identify, esp for the police
    • to choose (the victim or location of an intended crime)
  16. to have easy and complete control or influence over
verb
  1. to touch or manipulate with the fingers; handle
  2. to identify as a criminal or suspect
  3. to extend like a finger
  4. to use one's fingers in playing (an instrument, such as a piano or clarinet)
  5. to indicate on (a composition or part) the fingering required by a pianist, harpsichordist, etc
  6. to arrange the keys of (a clarinet, flute, etc) for playing in a certain way
Finger (noun) Definition, Meaning & Examples

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