English Explanatory Dictionary

fingernail

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. The hard, flat translucent covering near the tip of a human finger, useful for scratching and fine manipulation.

Pronunciation

/ˈfɪŋɡɚˌneɪl/ En-us-fingernail.ogg LL-Q1860 (eng)-Back ache-fingernail.wav

Word forms

fingernail fingernails finger nail finger-nail

Etymology

From Middle English finger neil(e); equivalent to finger + nail. Compare Middle English nayl of fynger (“fingernail”) and Old English handnæġl (“fingernail”). Compare also Saterland Frisian Fingernail (“fingernail”), West Frisian fingerneil (“fingernail”), Dutch vingernagel (“fingernail”), German Fingernagel (“fingernail”), Danish fingernegl (“fingernail”), Swedish fingernagel (“fingernail”), Norwegian fingernegl (“fingernail”), Icelandic fingurnögl (“fingernail”).

Synonyms

handnail

Related words

nail nail polish nail varnish thumbnail toenail

Derived words

fingernail clam fingernailed fingernailful fingernaillike fingernail moon fingernaily little fingernail ring fingernail
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