Fingernail - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
A fingernail is the hard, flat covering at the end of a finger, made of keratin. It protects the fingertip and helps with grasping small objects. People often trim or polish their fingernails.
Definition:
The hard, translucent covering at the end of a finger.
Synonyms:
nail, claw, talon
Part of Speech:
noun
Antonyms:
fingertip, toe (contextually)
Common Collocations:
bite fingernails, trim fingernails, paint fingernails, long fingernails, clean fingernails
Derivatives:
fingernailed (adj.), fingernail-like (adj.)
Usage Tips:
Use "fingernail" to refer specifically to the keratin plate on fingers, not toes (use "toenail").
Common Phrases:
hang by a fingernail, fight tooth and nail, scratch the surface
Etymology:
Derived from Old English "finger" + "nægl," meaning "finger spike" or "finger claw."
Examples:
- 1. She painted her fingernails bright red for the party.
- 2. He accidentally broke his fingernail while opening the box.
- 3. Stop biting your fingernails—it’s a bad habit!
- 4. Her long fingernails tapped loudly on the keyboard.