# finger

/ˈfɪŋɡɝ/ (US) · /fˈɪŋɡɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/finger
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. part of the hand

noun · CEFR A1

one of the five long, thin parts at the end of your hand.

For teachers: any of the five terminal members of the hand, specifically the four digits excluding the thumb, though often used to include all five.

- She wore a beautiful gold ring on her middle finger.
- The pianist's fingers moved with incredible speed across the keys during the final movement of the concerto.

### 2. a small amount of liquid

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

a small amount of a drink, about the width of a finger in a glass.

For teachers: an informal unit of measure for liquids in a glass, approximately equal to the breadth of a finger.

- He poured himself two fingers of whisky and sat down by the fire.
- The bartender added a single finger of vermouth to the gin, following the customer's request for an exceptionally dry martini.

### 3. obscene gesture

noun · CEFR B2 · Vulgar · Slang

an insulting sign made by holding up your middle finger.

For teachers: a vulgar gesture of contempt or defiance made by extending the middle finger.

- The angry driver gave him the finger after he accidentally cut her off.
- The protestor was arrested after repeatedly giving the finger to the line of police officers guarding the entrance.

### 4. to touch or feel

verb · CEFR B2

to touch or move something around with your fingers.

For teachers: to touch, feel, or handle something with the fingers, often idly or curiously.

- She nervously fingered her necklace while she waited for the interview to start.
- He stood by the window, absently fingering the velvet curtains as he contemplated the difficult decision ahead.

### 5. to identify a criminal

verb · CEFR C1 · Informal · Slang

to point someone out to the police as the person who did a crime.

For teachers: to identify or name a person as a perpetrator to the authorities.

- The witness fingered the man in the blue jacket as the thief.
- Under intense interrogation, the suspect eventually fingered his accomplices in exchange for a reduced sentence.

### 6. musical technique

verb · CEFR C2 · Technical

to choose which fingers to use when playing a musical instrument.

For teachers: to use or mark specific finger positions for the execution of notes on a musical instrument.

- The teacher showed her how to finger the difficult chord on the guitar.
- The editor had carefully fingered the entire sonata to assist intermediate students with the complex legato passages.

## Examples

- He points his finger at the map.
- She wore a beautiful silver ring on her finger.
- A single, gnarled finger traced the faded lines of the old photograph, stirring memories long dormant.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.