fingernail

noun

fin·​ger·​nail ˈfiŋ-gər-ˌnāl How to pronounce fingernail (audio)
ˌfiŋ-gər-ˈnāl
: the nail of a finger

Examples of fingernail in a Sentence

I trimmed and filed my fingernails. He had dirt under his fingernails.
Recent Examples on the Web Which means: Aztecs fans have no hair, fingernails or nerves left. Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Mar. 2024 The hands are crafted from black shimmery material, while the fingernails gleam in silver. Jordan Greene, Peoplemag, 10 Mar. 2024 Schindler said the hospital-grade technology can instantly detect, especially in hard to clean areas such as beneath fingernails and in and around jewelry and knuckles, gut biome molecules that can transmit norovirus, E. coli, salmonella, Hepatitis A, Listeria, and other common illnesses. Parija Kavilanz, CNN, 8 Mar. 2024 Briana Erickson: Telles' DNA was under Jeff's fingernails. Peter Van Sant, CBS News, 17 Feb. 2024 The lead dude was noisily racing his fingernails across the surface of the table. Joseph O’Neill, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2024 Moon Meets Jupiter See Jupiter, our solar system’s largest planet, come within four degrees of the waxing crescent moon, which appears as just a thin fingernail the night of March 13, according to Starlust.org. Stephanie Vermillion, Travel + Leisure, 1 Mar. 2024 The box has magnets inside it that detect loose metal chips as small as a fingernail. Laura Strickler, NBC News, 20 Feb. 2024 With Kelce catching nine passes from Patrick Mahomes as the largest audience in U.S. television history looked on, the Kansas City Chiefs snatched a 25-22 overtime victory that, along the way, had Swift biting her fingernails and Kelce raging at coach Andy Reid for holding him out of a few plays. Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fingernail.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of fingernail was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near fingernail

Cite this Entry

“Fingernail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fingernail. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

fingernail

noun
fin·​ger·​nail ˈfiŋ-gər-ˌnāl How to pronounce fingernail (audio)
ˌfiŋ-gər-ˈnā(ə)l
: the nail of a finger

Medical Definition

fingernail

noun
: the nail of a finger

More from Merriam-Webster on fingernail

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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