index finger

noun

: the finger next to the thumb

called also forefinger

Examples of index finger in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web A number of us scrolled through iPhones with our index fingers or exchanged small talk, occasionally slipping into English by accident. Jamil Jan Kochai, The New Yorker, 19 Feb. 2024 Obama's arrival at Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport in January 2012 created controversy when then-Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer was captured in an infamous photo pointing her index finger at the president in a scolding manner. The Arizona Republic, 12 Feb. 2024 After initial setup with my index finger and thumb, the phone would only unlock about 15% of the time using the fingerprint reader. Rudie Obias, The Hollywood Reporter, 31 Jan. 2024 The fifth-year player, who took over when Justin Herbert broke his right index finger during the second quarter against Denver on Dec. 10, was unable to get the Chargers into the end zone in last week's 16-9 loss to the Broncos. Joe Reedy, USA TODAY, 5 Jan. 2024 Squeeze the indentation between the two digits with your opposite hand's thumb and index finger and massage in a circular motion for five minutes, then switch hands. Amanda MacMillan, Health, 26 Feb. 2024 His index finger was pointed at his nephew’s chest. Elliot Ackerman, WIRED, 9 Feb. 2024 But try that nowadays and the guy will laugh derisively, then pick up your sawbuck between his thumb and index finger, like a piece of filth, and hand it back to you. Jack Handey, The New Yorker, 5 Feb. 2024 The thumb controlled the formant (that is, the amplitude peak in the spectrum that distinguishes the instrument’s timbre), the index finger controlled the waveform using a circular grid, and the three remaining fingers controlled the periodicity. IEEE Spectrum, 1 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'index finger.' 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

1849, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of index finger was in 1849

Dictionary Entries Near index finger

Cite this Entry

“Index finger.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/index%20finger. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

index finger

noun
: the finger next to the thumb

Medical Definition

index finger

noun
: the finger next to the thumb

called also forefinger

More from Merriam-Webster on index finger

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