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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Body of knowledge The length of a finger dictates how fast the fingernail grows. Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Jan. 2025 Carrington infamously gave Clark a black eye by poking her with her fingernails during a game between Clark's Indiana Fever and Carrington's Connecticut Sun in the first round of the playoffs in September. Jackson Thompson, Fox News, 25 Jan. 2025 Follow any treatment recommendations to regain fingernail health. Patty Weasler, Rn, Bsn, Verywell Health, 24 Dec. 2024 In a Fandango interview clip shared to TikTok, the actor, 28, talked about growing out his fingernails to become the American singer-songwriter in the biopic A Complete Unknown (out Dec. 25). Michelle Lee, People.com, 23 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for fingernail 

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 10 Feb. 2025.

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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