Definition of the word finger

Pronunciation of vocabulary finger

fingernoun

ngón tay

/ˈfɪŋɡə/

Definition of the word <b>finger</b>

Origin of the word finger

The word "finger" has a fascinating history. It originated from the Old English word "fingor," which was derived from the Proto-Germanic word "*fingiz," meaning "finger" or "digit." This, in turn, is thought to be related to the Proto-Indo-European root "*beg-" which meant "to bend" or "to curve." In Old English, the word "fingor" referred specifically to the finger, particularly the forefinger. It wasn't until the 14th century that the term "finger" began to encompass all five digits on the hand. Today, the word "finger" is used to refer to any of the five distinct parts of the hand that connect the hand to the wrist. Despite its evolution, the core meaning of the word "finger" remains relatively unchanged, emphasizing its connection to the physical sensation of touch and manipulation.

Vocabulary summary finger

typenoun

meaningfinger

exampleto finger a piece of cloth

meaningfinger

exampleto finger someone's money

meaningfinger shaped object (in machine...)

exampleto finger the piano

typetransitive verb

meaningtouch

exampleto finger a piece of cloth

meaningbribery

exampleto finger someone's money

meaningpluck (a string with the fingers)

exampleto finger the piano

Example of vocabulary fingernamespace

meaning

one of the four long thin parts that stick out from the hand (or five, if the thumb is included)

một trong bốn phần mỏng dài nhô ra khỏi bàn tay (hoặc năm phần, nếu bao gồm cả ngón tay cái)

  • She ran her fingers through her hair.

    Cô luồn ngón tay vào tóc.

  • Hold the material between finger and thumb.

    Giữ vật liệu giữa ngón tay và ngón cái.

  • He was about to speak but she raised a finger to her lips.

    Anh định nói nhưng cô đã đưa một ngón tay lên môi.

  • The old man wagged his finger at the youths.

    Ông già vẫy tay với thanh niên.

  • Tina curled her slender fingers into a fist.

    Tina cuộn những ngón tay mảnh khảnh của mình thành nắm đấm.

Extra examples:
  • ‘None of that!’ cried the teacher, wagging her finger.

    "Không có chuyện đó!" cô giáo hét lên và lắc ngón tay.

  • Dad started twiddling his fingers nervously.

    Bố bắt đầu vặn ngón tay một cách lo lắng.

  • Everyone put their fingers in their ears when the shooting started.

    Mọi người đều đặt ngón tay vào tai khi vụ nổ súng bắt đầu.

  • He crooked a finger to tell us to go over to him.

    Anh ta cong một ngón tay ra hiệu bảo chúng tôi đến chỗ anh ta.

  • He gently laced his fingers between mine.

    Anh nhẹ nhàng đan những ngón tay mình vào giữa ngón tay tôi.

meaning

having the type of fingers mentioned; having or using the number of fingers mentioned

có loại ngón tay được đề cập; có hoặc sử dụng số lượng ngón tay được đề cập

  • long-fingered

    ngón tay dài

  • nimble-fingered

    ngón tay nhanh nhẹn

  • a four-fingered chord

    hợp âm bốn ngón

meaning

the part of a glove that covers the finger

phần của chiếc găng tay che ngón tay

meaning

a long narrow piece of bread, cake, land, etc.

một miếng bánh mì, bánh ngọt, đất dài, hẹp, v.v.

  • chocolate fingers

    ngón tay sô cô la

  • a finger of toast

    một ngón tay bánh mì nướng

  • a narrow finger of land pointing out into the sea

    một ngón tay đất hẹp hướng ra biển

Words, synonyms, related vocabulary finger

Idioms of vocabulary finger

be able to count somebody/something on (the fingers of) one hand
used to say that the total number of somebody/something is very small
  • She could count on the fingers of one hand the people she actually enjoyed being with.
  • Although she knew lots of people, she could count her friends on the fingers of one hand.
    • be all (fingers and) thumbs
    to be awkward with your hands so that you drop things or are unable to do something
    burn your fingers | get your fingers burnt
    to suffer as a result of doing something without realizing the possible bad results, especially in business
  • He got his fingers badly burnt dabbling in the stock market.
    • cross your fingers
    to hope that your plans will be successful (sometimes putting one finger across another as a sign of hoping for good luck)
  • I'm crossing my fingers that my proposal will be accepted.
  • Keep your fingers crossed!
    • finger in the air
    (informal)used to refer to an estimate or method of doing something that is not very accurate or scientific and partly based on guessing
  • It isn’t an exact science—it’s a kind of finger in the air thing.
  • ‘It’s all a bit finger in the air,’ admitted a spokesman.
    • the finger of blame/suspicion
    if the finger of blame/suspicion points or is pointed at somebody, they are suspected of having committed a crime, being responsible for something, etc.
  • The inquiry pointed the finger of blame at the driver of the crashed coach.
  • The finger of suspicion was pointed at the chicken served for lunch.
    • get, pull, etc. your finger out
    (British English, informal)used to tell somebody to start doing some work or making an effort
  • You're going to have to pull your finger out if you want to pass this exam.
    • give somebody the finger
    (especially North American English, informal)to raise your middle finger in the air with the back part of your hand facing somebody, done to be rude to somebody or to show them that you are angry
    have a finger in every pie
    (informal)to be involved in a lot of different activities and have influence over them, especially when other people think that this is annoying
    have/keep your finger on the pulse (of something)
    to always be aware of the most recent developments in a particular situation
    have, etc. your fingers in the till
    (British English, informal)to be stealing money from the place where you work
    have sticky fingers
    (informal)to be likely to steal something
    lay a finger on somebody
    to touch somebody with the intention of hurting them physically
  • I never laid a finger on her.
  • If you lay a finger on me, I’ll call the police.
    • let something slip (through your fingers)
    to miss or fail to use an opportunity
  • Don't let the chance to work abroad slip through your fingers.
    • not lift/raise a finger/hand (to do something)
    (informal)to do nothing to help somebody
  • The children never lift a finger to help around the house.
    • point a/the finger (at somebody)
    to accuse somebody of doing something
  • The article points an accusing finger at the authorities.
    • (not) put your finger on something
    to (not) be able to identify what is wrong or different about a particular situation
  • There was something odd about him but I couldn't put my finger on it.
  • You've put your finger on something there—we'll need to investigate that.
    • put/stick two fingers up at somebody
    (British English, informal)to form the shape of a V with the two fingers nearest your thumb and raise your hand in the air with the back part of it facing somebody, done to be rude to them or to show them that you are angry
  • She enjoys sticking two fingers up to convention.
    • snap your fingers
    to make a sharp noise by moving your second or third finger quickly against your thumb, to attract somebody’s attention, or to mark the beat of music, for example
  • He snapped his fingers for the waiter.
  • She only has to snap her fingers and her assistant comes running.
    • work your fingers to the bone
    to work very hard

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