Word
fingered
Phoneticsfin·gered, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈfɪŋɡɝd/
UK/fˈɪŋɡəd/
Definition
v. to touch or move something with your fingers. It can also mean to point at someone as the person who did something wrong.
v. to touch, feel, or handle something with the fingers; in a figurative sense, to identify or point out a person as a suspect or culprit. Transitive — requires a direct object.
Examples
“She fingered the soft silk of the dress.”
“The witness fingered the suspect in the lineup, claiming he was the one who stole the bag.”
“He nervously fingered the loose thread on his sleeve while the detective questioned him about his whereabouts on the night of the crime.”
Examples
simple
“She fingered the soft silk of the dress.”
contextual
“The witness fingered the suspect in the lineup, claiming he was the one who stole the bag.”
complex
“He nervously fingered the loose thread on his sleeve while the detective questioned him about his whereabouts on the night of the crime.”
Usage
The verb is transitive and takes a direct object.
Real-World Examples
“Police are seeking tips on the identity of a male suspect fingered for a distraction theft last month in Little Italy.” “Cross-referencing these three data sources, the researchers traced the rise and fall of businesses fingered for false reviews.” Etymology
From finger + -ed.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C2 ProficiencyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.8.5–9.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 6.0114–120
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C2 · Proficiency
- Updated
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