forefinger
gb/fˈɔɹfˌɪŋɡɚ/ us/fˈɔɹfˌɪŋɡɚ/
B2
English
~ 9600
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B2
entity
1
the finger next to the thumb
The finger beside your thumb that you usually use to point at things.
Usage pattern:
[someone]'s forefinger; the forefinger of [someone's] [right/left] hand
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "forefinger" with "fourfinger" because it sounds similar to "four"; the correct spelling is "forefinger". Many learners also know only "index finger" and do not realize that "forefinger" means the same thing. In very simple everyday speech, especially with children, "pointer finger" is often used instead of "forefinger".
Synonyms
index finger (More common in technical, medical, and neutral everyday descriptions; the standard anatomical term.)
|
pointer finger (Informal everyday term, especially in child-directed speech; slightly more casual than "forefinger".)
|
first finger (Used in some dialects and in music/medicine; less common in general conversation than "index finger" or "forefinger".)
Antonyms
thumb (Not a strict logical opposite, but the other distinct digit of the hand, often contrasted with the forefinger.)
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little finger (The finger on the opposite side of the hand from the forefinger; sometimes contrasted as the smallest vs. the main pointing finger.)
Collocations
point with your forefinger
|raise a forefinger
|wag a forefinger
|forefinger and thumb
|press with your forefinger
Themes
body
|health
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She tapped the screen with her forefinger to open the app.
- The child held up his forefinger to show that he wanted one more piece of candy.
- He cut his forefinger while chopping vegetables.
- The teacher raised her forefinger to signal the class to be quiet.
- He wore a silver ring on his right forefinger.
Learner examples
- He pointed at the map with his forefinger.
- She hurt her forefinger while playing basketball.
- The doctor asked me to move my forefinger up and down.
- I pressed the doorbell with my forefinger.
- There is a small cut on my left forefinger.
Grammar
Dictionary form
forefinger
IPA
GB/fˈɔɹfˌɪŋɡɚ/
US/fˈɔɹfˌɪŋɡɚ/
Syllables & stress
fore - finger (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (fore)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: forefinger
- Plural: forefingers
Word family
Expressions
raise a forefinger
1/ɹˈeɪz ə fˈɔɹfˌɪŋɡɚ/
fixed phrase
lift forefinger to signal attention
To lift your forefinger in the air to show that you want to speak or that you have something to say.
Examples
- She raised a forefinger to ask a question.
- The lawyer raised a forefinger, indicating that he had one final point to make.
wag one's forefinger
1/wˈæɡ wˈʌnz fˈɔɹfˌɪŋɡɚ/
fixed phrase
move forefinger to show disapproval
To move your forefinger from side to side to show that you do not approve of something or that someone should not do it.
Examples
- The teacher wagged her forefinger at the noisy students.
- He wagged his forefinger at his son, warning him not to touch the hot stove.