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.
That’s not the case with the Margaret Dabbs London Nail Strengthening Treatment, which reinforces flimsy fingernails after just one swipe of its brush. Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025 Male soldiers' fingernails must be shorter than the end of the finger tip, while female soldiers' nails must be shorter than one quarter of an inch. Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025 Tips And Tricks For Deadheading Mums Use your fingernails or garden snips to cut about two inches below the flower head so that the cut portion of the stem is hidden in the canopy of the plant. Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 13 Sep. 2025 Forensic evidence collected from one woman's neck and the other woman's fingernails provided identical DNA linking back to Duerson, who was already in a police database. Jade Jackson, IndyStar, 11 Sep. 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fingernail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fingernail. Accessed 20 Sep. 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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