Meaning & use
forefinger
Last updated
Meaning
nouncountable
The finger next to the thumb, often used for pointing.
Grammar: Countable noun: you can say 'a forefinger' or 'forefingers'.
Patterns
- raise a forefinger
- point with a forefinger
- one's forefinger
She raised her forefinger to her lips, signaling silence.
He tapped his forefinger on the table, thinking.
The child pointed at the bird with a small forefinger.
Word forms
| plural | forefingers |
|---|
Common combinations
- raise a forefinger
- He raised a forefinger to get the waiter's attention.
- point with a forefinger
- She pointed with her forefinger at the map.
- tap a forefinger
- He tapped his forefinger on the desk impatiently.
- forefinger and thumb
- She held the coin between her forefinger and thumb.
Synonyms and how they differ
- index finger
- The more formal or medical term for the same finger; forefinger is common in everyday speech.
Commonly confused: forefinger or finger? forefinger or thumb?
forefinger vs finger
Finger is the general word for any of the five digits on your hand; forefinger refers specifically to the one next to the thumb.
forefinger vs thumb
The thumb is the short, thick digit set apart from the other fingers; the forefinger is the next finger.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'forefinger' correctly?
Choose one answer.
The forefinger is a finger on the hand, so a ring can be worn on it. The other options confuse it with toes or suggest more than one on a hand.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “forefinger”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.