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forefinger

forefinger

23 1.4
A finger next to the thumb that you use for pointing
  • noun
  • /ˈfɔrˌfɪŋɡər/
translation icon : índice
  • "Now Dickens, Mister Collins, Meggy girl," Field jabbed his forefinger at each of us in turn, "we are off!"
  • thumb and forefinger

Examples

  • I pinched my nostrils between my thumb and forefinger and breathed erratically through my mouth.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • Lena points at Andrea and places a forefinger against her lips.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • And when they shift again, use your forefinger to try to make it shift.

  • Okay, can you please move your right fingers, one by one, beginning with the forefinger?

  • And now, place your forefinger on the Egg of Destiny.

  • - Hold it between your thumb and forefinger.

  • So if you'll just extend your forefinger just like that... great.

  • You smiled, beckoned with your forefinger, and raised your chin.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • "Will he?" With his forefinger, he gently traced the delicate arch of one dark brow.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • Use your forefinger to point at the correct answer on the test.

Synonyms

index
vsforefinger
34 1.0

The finger next to the thumb used for pointing and touching

is the same in meaning but is a shorter form
index finger
vsforefinger
32 1.0

A finger next to the thumb used for pointing or pressing

names it without emphasising its common uses

Surface Forms

forefinger singular
forefingers plural

Morphology

forefinger = finger (transparent) = fore + finger

Clear combination of the prefix 'fore-' (meaning 'front' or 'before') with 'finger', so learners can infer it denotes a particular finger (the index).

Etymology

The word forefinger comes from fore 'front' or 'before' and finger 'finger', so it means the finger at the front of the hand. Think of it as the 'front' finger you use to point, which is why forefinger is another name for the index finger next to the thumb.