forefinger

American  

[fawr-fing-ger, fohr-] / ˈfɔrˌfɪŋ gər, ˈfoʊr- /

noun

1. the first finger next to the thumb.

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forefinger British  

/ ˈfɔːˌfɪŋɡə /

noun

1. Also called: index finger.  the finger next to the thumb

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Etymology

Origin of forefinger

First recorded in 1400–50, forefinger is from the late Middle English word forefyngure. See fore-, finger

Example Sentences

A lovingly acquired brushed-steel spoon that you can cradle between your forefinger and thumb and use to collect all your tears about everything, everyone, everywhere, because why is it all so hard?

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 21, 2024

The procedure, called umbilical cord milking, involves gently squeezing the cord between the thumb and forefinger and pushing the blood into the newborn's abdomen.

From Science Daily • Nov. 9, 2023

I don't know how to put this other than to form a rhetorical circle with my thumb and forefinger signaling a big fat goose egg.

From Salon • Sep. 16, 2023

Simultaneously, people had to press a button on the steering wheel with their left forefinger each time a small device attached to their left collarbone vibrated.

From Scientific American • Jul. 28, 2023

Once the brim was pinched between his thumb and forefinger, the arm retracted like fishing line on a reel.

From "The Last Last-Day-of-Summer" by Lamar Giles