thumbs
n. countablen. the short, thick fingers on the side of your hands. They help you hold things tightly and pick up small objects.
n. the first digit of the human hand, set apart from the other four fingers and capable of being moved into opposition to them. Often used figuratively in idiomatic expressions regarding manual dexterity or approval.
He held the glass tightly between his fingers and thumbs.
The toddler struggled to button her coat because her small thumbs were not yet strong enough to push the plastic through.
Evolutionary biologists often cite the development of opposable thumbs as a critical milestone that allowed early humans to manufacture sophisticated tools and manipulate their environment with precision.
Usually used in the plural when referring to both hands; the singular form often appears in idioms like 'all thumbs' or 'thumbs up'.
I am all fingers todayI am all thumbs todayThe idiom for being clumsy is 'all thumbs', not 'all fingers'.