little finger

13 1.0

The smallest finger on the hand that is farthest from the thumb

noun
/ˈlɪtəl ˈfɪŋɡər/

: meñique

I bathed my little finger in the wine and moistened it.
ring on the little finger

And also I have a strange little finger that is I have a trapped nerve some sometimes this happens.

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Examples

Dietlief held up his left hand with the little finger extended.

Fiction book (1998)
Bobby Johnston had more talent in his little finger than you have in your whole body!

Blog text (12)
You have more talent in your little finger than I have in my whole body.

The Big Wedding (2013)
Put your little finger up, baby!

Let's Go to Prison (2006)
My little finger is just fine.

Trigger Man (2007)
"Am I holding my little finger out right?" I asked.

Fiction book (1996)
I cupped my other hand around his neck, my little finger raised as if I were sipping tea.

Fiction book (1997)
Nathan P105 was picking at something in the back of his mouth, using his little finger.

Fiction book (1993)
When you wave goodbye, make sure to extend your little finger along with your hand.
In yoga class, the instructor instructed us to stretch our little fingers and release tension.

Synonyms

pinky

vslittle finger

140 1.1

The smallest finger on the hand, farthest from the thumb

is the same finger but given in another common written form

pinkie

vslittle finger

Informal

34 1.0

The smallest finger on the hand farthest from the thumb

is the same finger expressed with a different common form

minimus

vslittle finger

Specialized

1 8.4

The smallest finger or toe, the little one on each hand and foot

is specific to the smallest finger on the hand rather than toes

Surface Forms

little finger singular

little fingers plural

Morphology

little + finger

The meaning 'the smallest finger on the hand' is directly and transparently derived from combining 'little' (small) with 'finger' (a hand digit). This adjective+noun composition is a standard, cross-linguistic pattern in English and other languages, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily understand the MWE.

Etymology

The noun little finger is a simple name for the smallest finger, the little one farthest from the thumb. That's why it means the smallest finger and is often called 'pinky'.