Word
fingerprint
Phoneticsfin·ger·print, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈfɪŋɡɝˌpɹɪnt/
UK/fˈɪŋɡəpɹˌɪnt/
Definitions
01mark on a surface
B1 · Intermediate Countable noun Law
n. the mark left on a surface by the lines on the end of your finger, often used by police to find out who was there.
n. an impression of the curved ridges of the skin of a finger, typically used as a method of identifying individuals in forensic investigations.
“The police found a clear fingerprint on the glass that helped them identify the thief.”
“Forensic experts carefully dusted the safe for fingerprints, hoping to find a match in the national criminal database.”
02unique characteristic
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. a unique set of features that identifies something or someone.
n. a unique combination of characteristics or data points that serves to identify a specific person, object, or digital entity.
“Every person has a unique chemical fingerprint that can be detected by special sensors.”
“The software creates a digital fingerprint of the file to ensure that the content has not been altered during transmission.”
Synonyms
03to take prints
B2 · Upper Intermediate Law
v. to take a copy of the patterns on someone's fingers, usually using ink or a scanner.
v. to record the patterns of the ridges on a person's fingertips, typically as part of a criminal booking or security clearance process.
“The officer had to fingerprint the suspect before putting him in a cell.”
“As part of the visa application process, the embassy required all applicants to be fingerprinted and photographed at the consulate.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “fingerprint” in context.
Verb
01. fingerprint match
“A fingerprint match confirmed that the victim had been in the building.”
noun + verb
02. identify by fingerprint
“The suspect was eventually identified by fingerprints found on the getaway car.”
verb + prep + noun
03. leave fingerprint
“The thief was careful not to leave any fingerprints at the crime scene.”
verb + noun
04. lift fingerprint
“Detectives managed to lift a clear fingerprint from the doorknob.”
verb + noun
05. match fingerprint
“The computer system quickly matched the fingerprint to a known offender.”
verb + noun
Adjective
06. digital fingerprint
“Your online activity creates a digital fingerprint that advertisers can track.”
adj + noun
07. latent fingerprint
“Forensic experts used special powder to reveal a latent fingerprint on the glass.”
adj + noun
08. unique fingerprint
“Every human being has a unique fingerprint that distinguishes them from others.”
adj + noun
Noun
09. set of fingerprints
“The police took a full set of fingerprints from the applicant for the security job.”
noun + prep + noun
10. dust for fingerprints
“The forensic team began to dust for fingerprints around the broken window.”
11. find fingerprints on
“Investigators found fingerprints on the handle of the safe.”
12. take someone's fingerprints
“The officer took the suspect's fingerprints during the booking process.”
Etymology
English finger + print, first compounded as finger-print in the 1880s. The press originally borrowed the form while reporting Sir Francis Galton’s identification schemes and the word had settled into one piece by 1891.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
Related words
- 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.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL 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: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B1 · IntermediateOxford
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