fingerpick

American  

[fing-ger-pik] / ˈfɪŋ gərˌpɪk /

noun

1. a plectrum.worn on the finger.

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verb (used with object)

1. to play (an instrument, especiallya guitar or banjo) by plucking its strings with the fingers or a fingerpick.

verb (used without object)

1. to play a stringed instrument using the fingers or a fingerpick.

Other Word Forms

• fingerpicker noun

Etymology

Origin of fingerpick

First recorded in 1890–95; finger ( def. ) + pick ² ( def. ) for the noun sense, finger ( def. ) + pick ¹ ( def. ) for the verb senses

Example Sentences

After that, he used a fingerpick on his pinkie to strum the guitar.

From Washington Post • Oct. 29, 2020

Flea did not tone down his trademark fingerpick funk style one iota.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 20, 2010